The integrated spectra of M32 and of 47 Tucanae: A comparative study in the mid-ultraviolet with IUE

Low-resolution mid-UV spectra of M32 and 47 Tuc have been extracted from th e IUE archival database, along with spectra of 41 F and G dwarfs with well- determined atmospheric parameters and integrated spectra of 24 Galactic glo bular clusters. We have used five mid-UV spectral indices defined by Fanell i et al. to constrain the stellar content of M32 and 47 Tuc and to make a c omparative study between the two stellar systems. In the case of 47 Tuc, th e bulk of the mid-UV light is shown to come from the main-sequence turnoff stars, with much smaller (but significant) contributions coming from red ho rizontal-branch stars, red giants, and A stars (presumably, blue stragglers ). In contrast, M32 is shown to have no significant contribution from a red horizontal-branch population, has a more metal-rich main-sequence turnoff, and has a significantly larger hot star contribution than is inferred to b e present in 47 Tuc. These inferences are consistent with conclusions obtai ned from integrated light studies of M32 and 47 Tuc in the blue.