Dynamical interaction of M31 and M32

V.G.Surdin

Results of analytical and numerical investigation of the dynamical evolution of M32 galaxy (elliptical satellite of the Andromeda galaxy) under the action of dynamical friction and tidal stripping, are reported. We find that the mass of the satellite galaxy decreases four times during the last 10 billion years. The results may explain why M32 doesn't satisfy the well known "mass - metallicity" relationship for elliptical galaxies.