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arXiv · 1609.07158

Blind Detection of Ultra-faint Streaks with a Maximum Likelihood Method

William A. Dawson·Michael D. Schneider·Chandrika Kamath
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Abstract

We have developed a maximum likelihood source detection method capable of detecting ultra-faint streaks with surface brightnesses approximately an order of magnitude fainter than the pixel level noise. Our maximum likelihood detection method is a model based approach that requires no a priori knowledge about the streak location, orientation, length, or surface brightness. This method enables discovery of typically undiscovered objects, and enables the utilization of low-cost sensors (i.e., higher-noise data). The method also easily facilitates multi-epoch co-addition. We will present the results from the application of this method to simulations, as well as real low earth orbit observations.

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William A. Dawson, Michael D. Schneider, Chandrika Kamath. 2016-09-22. Blind Detection of Ultra-faint Streaks with a Maximum Likelihood Method. https://arxiv.org/abs/1609.07158

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