Mons Mensae, noun phrase
- Origin:
- LatinShow more Latin mons mount + mensae of the table; see quotation 1987.
obs. except in historical contexts, Astronomy
The name formerly given to the constellation Mensa, visible below the Large Magellanic Cloud. See also Cape Clouds.
1987 P. Mack Night Skies 5The rather faint and obscure constellation of Mensa is of local interest. It was originally named Mons Mensae (‘Table Mountain’) by La Caille who formed the figure from the stars under the Large Magellanic Cloud, the name being suggested by Table Mountain in Cape Town which was also frequently capped by cloud. It is the only constellation named after a geographical feature on Earth.
The name formerly given to the constellation Mensa, visible below the Large Magellanic Cloud.
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