Definition: **
NGC 2012 is an open star cluster located in the constellation Dorado. It is part of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.
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## NGC 2012
NGC 2012 is an open cluster situated within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. It lies in the southern constellation Dorado, which is known for containing several notable deep-sky objects. As an open cluster, NGC 2012 consists of a group of stars that formed from the same molecular cloud and are gravitationally bound.
### Location and Observation
The cluster is positioned in the LMC, approximately 163,000 light-years from Earth. Due to its location in the southern sky, NGC 2012 is primarily observable from the Southern Hemisphere. It appears as a compact grouping of stars through medium to large telescopes.
### Characteristics
NGC 2012 contains young, hot stars that contribute to its brightness and blue coloration. Its study helps astronomers understand star formation processes in satellite galaxies and the evolution of stellar populations outside the Milky Way.
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