NGC 2012 is a large lenticular galaxy in the Constellation Mensa.[1] It was discovered by John Herschel in 1836. With its distance from the Earth being over 236 million light years,[2] NGC 2012 is not visible to the naked eye, and a large telescope is needed. A probe has never been sent out to study the galaxy.[3]
Discovery
Polymath John Herschel observed the galaxy in 1836, and it was then added to the New General Catalog (NGC). The galaxy itself is a relatively long distance from Earth, making Herschel's find very uncommon for the time period.