Supersoft X-ray sources in the GALEX images of M31

We present the results of a search for UV counterparts of the supersoft X-ray source population (SSS) in M31 using GALEX. We find 13 UV sources coincident with the positions of known SSS discovered with ROSAT, Chandra and XMM-Newton, and 3 counterparts to "quasi-soft" sources. We measured the flux in the NUV and FUV GALEX bands. Correcting for extinction, several objects have UV luminosity > 10(36) erg s(-1). This is consistent with the emission expected from an accreting white dwarf undergoing shell burning, suggesting that at least some of the SSS in M31 are potential SN Ia progenitors. We also search for counterparts to recent novae in M31, and discuss how UV data can be used to constrain the nuclear burning timescale after the outburst.