NGC 2012

NGC 2012 is a large lenticular galaxy in the Constellation Mensa. It was discovered by John Herschel in 1836. With its distance from the Earth being over 236 million light years, 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.

Discovery

Polymath John Herschel observed the galaxy in 1836, and it was then added to the New General Catalog. The galaxy itself is a relatively long distance from Earth, making Herschel's find very uncommon for the time period.