XMM-Newton EPIC RGB cut-out of observation 0655620401 showing M31N 2008-05d in relation to a characteristic X-ray constellation south-east of the M 31 centre. Energy bands are (0.2–0.5) keV, (0.5–1.0) keV, and (1.0–2.0) keV for red, green, and blue channels, respectively. M31N 2008-05d is visible as a red source in the lower left corner of the field. The small white cross gives the position of the optical nova. The data in each colour band were binned in 2′′  ×  2′′ pixels and smoothed using a Gaussian of FWHM 10′′.