[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Hi All,

Thought I'd casually mention that today NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory released a series of professional-amateur collaboration images including one using my 120 hours of Centaurus A optical data.

The image was combined by Science Imager Joseph DePasquale from Chandra X-ray Observatory Center, using both X-ray, optical and infrared data. It is composed of the following data:

• My deep 120 hour optical image Centaurus A Extreme Deep Field taken over 43 nights in 2013.
• 230 hours of Chandra X-ray data gathered over the past 15 years.
• Infrared data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.

The combined exposure time is in excess of an astonishing 350 hours, or two weeks; more than the Hubble Ultra Deep Field.
Below are links to the official press releases including the other spectacular images in the series (M101, M81 and M51) with optical data by German astrophotographer Detlef Hartmann:

• Chandra Press Release
• Spitzer Press Release
• Individual images for download

Full details on the Centaurus A Extreme Deep Field project are available from my Centaurus A gallery

For astrophotographers, or even just 'armchair' astronomers, who would like to get involved with astronomical research the International Astronomical Union has an excellent page with information on how to get involved in citizen science projects or Pro-Am collaborations.

Regards,
Rolf