  M32, the compact elliptical-galaxy companion to the Andromeda spiral galaxy
has been imaged by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) in two ultraviolet
bands, centered at ~1500 (FUV) and 2300 Angstroms (NUV). The imaging data have
been carefully decomposed so as to properly account for the complicated
background contamination from the disk of M31. We have derived the surface
brightness and color profiles finding a slightly positive color gradient of
Delta(FUV-B)/Delta log(r)=+0.15+/-0.03 within one effective radius. Earlier
data from the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope suggested that M32 had an extremely
large (negative) FUV-optical color gradient (Delta(FUV-B)/Delta log(r)<-2),
inverted with respect to the majority of gradients seen in giant elliptical
galaxies. Our new results show that, despite of its very low UV-upturn, M32 has
similar UV properties to those observed in luminous elliptical galaxies.
