Norma

Transit Date of principal star:
26 May

Norma is another of those relatively insignificant constellations in the Southern Hemisphere. Invented by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the mid-eighteenth century, the constellation represents a scientific instrument, "the level". The original name was "Norma et Regula" (the level and the square). Since Lacaille's time, the principle stars of Norma have been redistributed, leaving it with fewer Bayer stars. Double stars: Epsilon Normae is a fixed binary: 4.8, 7.5; PA 335, separation 22.8". Both of these stars also have a spectroscopic companion. Iota1 Normae is a multiple. AB is a rapid binary with an orbit of 26.9 years. The Epoch 2000 values are 5.6, 5.8; PA 285, and separation 0.5". Component C: 8, PA 246, separation 10.8". Variable stars: Norma has three variables of (possible) interest: Mu Normae is an alpha Cygni type variable: 4.87-4.98. R Normae is a Mira-type variable: 6.5-13.9, with a period of 507.5 days. The next maximum is scheduled for the last week of February 1997; in 2001 the maximum should occur in the last week of April. S Normae is a well-known cepheid with a range from 6.1 to 6.8 magnitude, every 9.75 days. It is found in the NGC 6087 cluster (see below). Deep Sky Objects: Norma has several deep sky objects, including a notable planetary nebula. NGC 6067 is a cluster of about a hundred tenth-magnitude stars. This cluster is in the same field as kappa Normae, just to the north of this star. NGC 6087 is another cluster, some 3500 light years away, comprised of forty or so stars, ranging from 7-10 magnitude. The group is two degrees east of iota1; it includes the cepheid variable S Normae. Sp 1 is a planetary nebula, rather bright and perfectly circular with a 13 magnitude star in its centre. The planetary nebula is five degrees west-southwest of gamma2 Normae. A printed version of this web site ["The Constellations Pocket Guide"] is available, covering all 88 constellations and their graphics. Return to the previous page: Or go to the Main Menu All files associated with The Constellations Web Page are © 2000 by Richard Dibon-Smith.