The X-ray source population of the Andromeda galaxy M 31

We propose to complete our deep homogeneous survey of M31 down to a limitingpoint source luminosity of 10E35 erg/s which will include all active XRBs. M31is a milestone project for Xray astronomy. Given its proximity it is theultimate target for a detailed Xray inventory of an archetypallowstarformationrate galaxy like our own. We will study M31 XRBs and GCsources, SSSs, SNRs and the hot ISM in contrast to fore and background objects.The observations will provide high quality spectra and light curves, allowingsource classification and modelling of their SED. The population characteristicsof HMXBs and LMXBs will provide independent constraints on the star formationhistory of M31, the LG in general, as well as constraints on the formation channels of compact objects. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]