Suggested Searches

 

Messier 32

Messier 32 is a satellite galaxy of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).

Distance

2.5 million light-years

Apparent Magnitude

8.1

constellation

Andromeda

object type

Compact Elliptical Galaxy

An oval-shaped, dwarf galaxy is centered in the image. Its bright-white core and more diffuse edges sit against a black background.
This Hubble image of Messier 32 was taken as part of the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Southern Treasury (PHAST) that created a legacy map of the southern half of M31 (the Great Andromeda Galaxy) in visible and near-ultraviolet light.
NASA, ESA, B. Williams (University of Washington); Image Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

Messier 32 (M32) is a compact elliptical galaxy located 2.5 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Andromeda. It is one of two satellite galaxies orbiting the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). The other is M110.

M32 was discovered by the French astronomer Guillaume Le Gentil in 1749 and is best observed in November. The galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 8.1, and can be seen using a medium-sized telescope. It is relatively easy to locate, as it falls in the same field of view as M31, but a large telescope is needed to resolve any detail beyond a spot of light.

M32
This image of a portion of the compact elliptical galaxy M32 was captured by the Hubble Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), with a denser collection of stars in the upper-left that gradually become more spread out throughout the outer parts of the galaxy in the rest of the picture.
NASA, ESA, A. Crotts (Columbia University), W. Freedman (University of Chicago), and J. Westphal (California Institute of Technology); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

The Hubble image above, of a portion of M32, shows stars crowded in the galaxy's core at upper left, while stars in the outer parts of the galaxy fill the rest of the view. The image combines visible and infrared observations taken with the Advanced Camera for Surveys and the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2. The galaxy has been used to study gravitational microlensing ― a phenomenon in which the gravity of stars bends light as the stars pass one another ― and variable stars that can be used to measure astronomical distances.

M32 inset 01
This ground-based image from the Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) shows elliptical galaxy M32, with the white outline highlighting the portion of the galaxy captured by ACS.
Ground-based image: Digitized Sky Survey; ACS image: NASA, ESA, A. Crotts (Columbia University), and W. Freedman (University of Chicago); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
M32
This image of a large part of M32 was created from ultraviolet observations with Hubble and provides evidence that the ultraviolet light comes from a population of extremely hot, helium-burning stars at a late stage in their lives. Unlike the Sun, which burns hydrogen into helium, these old stars exhausted their central hydrogen long ago and now burn helium into heavier elements.
NASA and Thomas M. Brown, Charles W. Bowers, Randy A. Kimble, Allen V. Sweigart (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) and Henry C. Ferguson (Space Telescope Science Institute)

For more information about Hubble’s observations of M32, see:

locator star chart for M32
This star chart for M32 represents the view from mid-northern latitudes for the given month and time.
Image courtesy of Stellarium
locator star chart for M32
This star chart for M32 represents the view from mid-southern latitudes for the given month and time.
Image courtesy of Stellarium

Explore Hubble's Messier Catalog

The following pages contain some of Hubble’s best images of Messier objects.
Hubble’s Messier Catalog

Overview The Messier catalog, begun by astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th Century and revised over the years, includes some…
Messier 1 (The Crab Nebula)

Better known as the Crab Nebula, Charles Messier originally mistook Messier 1 for Halley’s Comet, which inspired him to create…
Messier 2

Hubble's image of Messier 2 is comprised of visible and infrared wavelengths of light.

More Things Hubble

nearly spherical gathering of white stars at center top. Blue gas cloud extends from top left to center bottom

Hubble Science Highlights

Hubble’s most notable scientific discoveries reflect the broad range of research and the breakthroughs it has achieved.

Upper left: "Hubble Focus" opening of the telescope is the "O" Center: bright-white star, Center Bottom: Orange-red planet with cloud bands, Center: small, bright-white star and very small red-orange dwarf star

Hubble E-books

Investigate the mysteries of the universe with Hubble. Learn Hubble's history. E-books dive deeper into Hubble discoveries and more.

Hubble Online Activities

Find your Hubble birthday image, take interactive tours, play games, and more.

c39-2b

Caldwell Catalog

Your backyard telescope and binoculars may not have the capabilities of Hubble, but you can still see amazing objects. Compare what you see with the images Hubble has taken.