  The M31 satellite galaxy M32 has long been considered an object of unique
properties, being the most extreme example of the very rare compact elliptical
galaxy class. Here we present the spectroscopic discovery of two M32 twins in
the massive galaxy cluster Abell 1689. As these objects are so rare, this is an
important step towards a better understanding of the nature of compact
galaxies. The two M32 twins had first been detected within our photometric
search for ultra compact dwarf galaxy (UCDs) candidates in A1689 (Mieske et al.
2004) with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). Their luminosities (M_V ~ -17
mag) are very similar to M32 and their surface brightness profiles are
consistent with that of M32 projected to A1689's distance. From our ACS imaging
we detect several fainter compact galaxy candidates with luminosities
intermediate between M32 and the Fornax UCDs. If spectroscopically confirmed as
cluster members, this would almost close the gap in the magnitude-surface
brightness plane between the region of UCDs and the compact ellipticals,
implying a sequence of faint compact galaxies well separated from that of dwarf
ellipticals.
