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An oval-shaped, dwarf galaxy is centered in the image. Its bright-white core and more diffuse edges sit against a black background.
Hubble · Messier 32 · NASA, ESA, B. Williams (University of Washington); Image Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

Messier 32

Galaxy in Andromeda · 2.65 million light-years

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TypeGalaxy
ConstellationAndromeda
Right ascension0h 42m 42s
Declination+40° 52′
Object distance2.65 million light-years
Apparent magnitude8.1
Apparent size7.7′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter5,936 light-years across
Also known asM32 · NGC 221
Messier 32 is a galaxy (also catalogued as NGC 221) in the constellation Andromeda — an island of billions of stars far beyond our own Milky Way. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 7.7 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 8.1, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.

Although it appears about 7.7′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 5,936 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Messier 32

Messier 32 lies in the constellation Andromeda and is best placed in the evening sky around September. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the northern hemisphere, and sits low for those far south. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies. Note that the listed magnitude is spread across the whole object — diffuse galaxies and nebulae are often harder to see than the number alone suggests, so dark, moonless skies help a great deal.

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Sources

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