The Andromeda Galaxy and satellite galaxy M32

The Andromeda Galaxy and satellite galaxy M32

Large galaxies such as M31, a giant spiral galaxy, usually possess a collection of satellite dwarf elliptical galaxies. Close encounters on the orbital path will cause a stripping of stars from each galaxy. Data obtained using the MegaCam camera on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Image Credit: Jean-Charles Cuillandre, CFHT and Giovanni Anselmi, Coelum Astronomia