Image processing software for Near Earth Objects (NEOs) detection

Abstract

The development of image processing software has been one of the most relevant achievements in astronomy of the last decade. After succeeding to get technical improvement on telescopes and detection systems it was needed to perfect the image processing software in order to make good use of the equipment provided. Matched lter algorithms were implemented within a exible test oriented software which allows the exploration of various scenarios that could arise during the research. These matched lter techniques have proved to be more precise when processing stellar imagery for asteroid detection and tracking. The main purpose of this report is to put into operation the image processing code SALTAD, which stands for SAIC Algorithm Test bed for Asteroid Detection, and compare its results with another image processing software, Visual PinPoint.