Jan 26 2018
Due to updates on all Minor Planet Center (MPC) services (changing security protocols, moving the database of objects, changing addresses) all previous versions of both CoLiTec software and other software that use MPC services stopped receiving the correct results based on the data from MPC.
CoLiTec Team has investigated this issue and provided patches for all previous versions of CoLiTec software for: Windows and Linux.
Jan 10 2018
CoLiTec Team published new article “A method of immediate detection of objects with a near-zero apparent motion in series of CCD-frames” in «Astronomy & Astrophysics» (Impact-factor 5.0).
The paper deals with a computational method for detection of the solar system minor bodies (SSOs), whose inter-frame shifts in series of CCD-frames during the observation are commensurate with the errors in measuring their positions. These objects have velocities of apparent motion between CCD-frames not exceeding three rms errors (3σ) of measurements of their positions. About 15% of objects have a near-zero apparent motion in CCD-frames, including the objects beyond the Jupiter’s orbit as well as the asteroids heading straight to the Earth. The proposed method for detection of the object’s near-zero apparent motion in series of CCD-frames is based on the Fisher f-criterion instead of using the traditional decision rules that are based on the maximum likelihood criterion. We analyzed the quality indicators of detection of the object’s near-zero apparent motion applying statistical and in situ modeling techniques in terms of the conditional probability of the true detection of objects with a near-zero apparent motion. The efficiency of method being implemented as a plugin for the Collection Light Technology (CoLiTec) software for automated asteroids and comets detection has been demonstrated. Among the objects discovered with this plugin, there was the sungrazing comet C/2012 S1 (ISON). Within 26 min of the observation, the comet’s image has been moved by three pixels in a series of four CCD-frames (the velocity of its apparent motion at the moment of discovery was equal to 0.8 pixels per CCD-frame; the image size on the frame was about five pixels). Next verification in observations of asteroids with a near-zero apparent motion conducted with small telescopes has confirmed an efficiency of the method even in bad conditions (strong backlight from the full Moon). So, we recommend applying the proposed method for series of observations with four or more frames.
«Savanevych V. E. A method of immediate detection of objects with a near-zero apparent motion in series of CCD-frames / V. E. Savanevych, S. V. Khlamov, I. B. Vavilova, A. B. Briukhovetskyi, A. V. Pohorelov, D. E. Mkr-tichian, V. I. Kudak, L. K. Pakuliak, E. N. Dikov, R. G. Melnik, V. P. Vlasenko, D. E. Reichart // Astronomy & Astrophysics. – 2018. – Volume 609, A54, 11 p»
Aug 26 2017
On August 25, 2017, astronomers Vladimir Kashuba and Vladimir Troianskyi of the observing station Mayaki (583 – Odessa-Mayaki) of Astronomical observatory of I. I. Mechnikov Odessa National University discovered an unknown asteroid having now the IAU Minor Planet Center name 2017 QX33, and rediscovered another one 2016 GN108. The first of these was the Mars-crossing, the second – an asteroid of the Main Belt.
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Apr 28 2017
With help of free version of the CoLiTec software 2016 – Summer (1.6.6.1) the observing station Mayaki (583 – Odessa-Mayaki) of Astronomical observatory of I.I. Mechnikov Odessa National University in early 2017 has discovered new asteroid 2017 BC94 and re-discovered 2017 AB8 asteroid.
The 2014 OD380 asteroid was firstly observed by Pan-STARRS 1 observatory, Haleakala in 2014. Afterwards there where several successful unrelated observations of this asteroid in 2015, after each of which the object was lost due to the insufficient number and period of observation for the calculation of search ephemeris.
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On January 3/4, 2017 by two staff researchers of Astronomical observatory of I.I.Mechnikov Odessa National University V.I. Kashuba and V.V.Troyankyi discovered an unknown object. Using these observations, the orbital elements of object was determined and object was re-found again on January 26, 2017. The IAU Minor Planets Center was named this object 2017 AB8 (2014 OD380).
Apr 23 2017
CoLiTec Team published new article “FrameSmooth software – new tool for the calibration of astronomical images” in «Open European Journal on Variable Stars», which is included in the science database of NASA – Astrophysics Data System (ADS).
The traditional procedure of image calibration in differential photometry is based on correction for dark-frame and flat-field. This approach don’t remove big scale non-uniformities in the detector illumination caused by Moonlight or other scattered light. This can be corrected by mathematical methods. Ukrainian developers of CoLiTec software use inverse median filter for astrometric tasks. We have tested the possibility to use it for photometry also. The answer is generally positive. There is a chance to skip the flat-field calibration in some cases. We present the FrameSmooth software which performs different image calibration procedures and also able to operate in fully automatic mode.
«Dubovský P. A. FrameSmooth software – new tool for the calibration of astronomical images / P. A. Dubovský, O. B. Bryukhovetskiy, S. V. Khlamov, I. Kudzej, Š. Parimucha, A. V. Pohorelov, V. E. Savanevych, V. P. Vlasenko // Open European Journal on Variable Stars. – 2017. – Vol. 180. – P. 16 – 23»
Apr 21 2017
Institute of Radio Astronomy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine