The X-ray source populations of different stellar generations in the SMC

We propose XMMNewton observations of 6 representative regions of the SMC, withwell constrained stellar populations of ages virgul10Myr to 0.5Gyr. For the firsttime we will observe the Xray source populations in regions of varying stellarcontent, down to a limiting luminosity of 2x10^{33} erg/s (20 times deeper thanROSAT) in a young starforming galaxy. We will classify the detected sourcesbased on their optical counterparts, while based on Xray spectra and timing wewill identify Xray binary pulsars. We will use these results to investigate theconnection between stellar and XRB populations. These observations will providea picture of the faint XRB populations and will complement similar studies ofother galaxies where these populations cannot be observed. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]