Mensa

Mensa is one of the faintest constellations, with no star brighter than magnitude 5.1, making it the faintest constellation of all. Part of the Large Magellanic Cloud extends into Mensa from neighboring Dorado.

Location in the Sky

When to Observe

Mensa is best observed during January. It is located in the SQ1 quadrant and is primarily visible from the southern hemisphere. The constellation contains 4 main stars forming its asterism, with 16 Bayer/Flamsteed designated stars in total. Its brightest star is Alpha Mensae.

Mythology & History

Mensa was introduced by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 1750s, originally as Mons Mensae (Table Mountain), named after Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the only constellation named after a specific terrestrial feature.