Mensa

The constellation Mensa remains a rather unremarkable and faint feature in the southern celestial hemisphere. However, it remains elusive and difficult to observe from northern latitudes due to its proximity to the South Celestial Pole.

History

Named after Table Mountain in South Africa, "Mensa" translates to "table" in Latin, paying homage to the flat-topped mountain where de Lacaille conducted his observations. This region's connection inspired him to christen this constellation after this prominent geographic feature.

Stars

Spanning an area of approximately 153 square degrees in the sky, Mensa lacks the presence of bright stars or significant deep-sky objects that characterize other constellations. Its dim stars form a vague shape often likened to a triangle or quadrilateral, contributing to its inconspicuous nature.