M32, also known as NGC 221, the brighter but smaller and closer elliptical companion of the Andromeda galaxy M31. This is a pseudocolor version of a V band image taken (in indifferent seeing) with the Lowell 1.1-meter telescope, photo by Bill Keel.

The brighter and closer elliptical companion of the Andromeda galaxy, also known as NGC 221. This is the inner half of a V-band CCD image taken in twilight (15 seconds' exposure) at the prime focus of the 4-meter Mayall telescope of Kitt Peak National Observatory. North is at the top and east to the left, for direct comparison with a chart or eyepiece view. The center of M31 is to the north. This area subtends 7.3 arcminutes, and is shown with a logarithmic intensity mapping. Even so, the bright nucleus of M32 (probably the highest stellar density known in the entire Local Group) saturates the display.

Both images above were taken from Bill Keel's image collection at the University of Alabama.

More images of Bill Keel

M32 as photographed by the KPNO 4-meter Mayall telescope, in 1975. M32 (NGC221) is a type E2 dwarf elliptical galaxy, and is one of the companions to the giant Andromeda Galaxy M31 (in Andromeda, oddly enough). It is a dwarf by galactic standards, as it is only 2400 light years across. Credit: AURA/NOAO/NSF

Amateur images of M32

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Hartmut Frommert
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Last Modification: October 30, 1999