We have developed a fast, open-source, cross-platform pipeline, called A-Track, for detecting the moving objects (asteroids and comets) in sequential telescope images in FITS format. The pipeline is coded in Python 3. The moving objects are detected using a modified line detection algorithm, called MILD. We tested the pipeline on astronomical data acquired by an SI-1100 CCD with a 1-meter telescope. We found that A-Track performs very well in terms of detection efficiency, stability, and processing time. The code is hosted on GitHub under the GNU GPL v3 license.#R##N#Program summary#R##N#Program title: A-TRACK#R##N##R##N#Catalogue identifier: AFBC_v1_0#R##N##R##N#Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AFBC_v1_0.html#R##N##R##N#Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland#R##N##R##N#Licensing provisions: GNU General Public Licence Version 3#R##N##R##N#No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 313100#R##N##R##N#No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 89443558#R##N##R##N#Distribution format: tar.gz#R##N##R##N#Programming language: Python 3.#R##N##R##N#Computer: Personal Computer.#R##N##R##N#Operating system: Any OS where Python 3 and subprograms are installed.#R##N##R##N#Classification: 14.#R##N##R##N#External routines: Numpy, Pandas, SExtractor, PyFITS, Alipy, f2n, docopt, Imagemagick, git-all, scipy, matplatlib, astroasciidata.#R##N##R##N#Nature of problem: Asteroid and comet detection.#R##N##R##N#Solution method: A multiple image line detection algorithm for sequential FITS images.#R##N##R##N#Running time:∼1 min
['Tugrul Atay', 'Murat Kaplan', 'Y. Kilic', 'N. Karapinar']
A-Track: A new approach for detection of moving objects in FITS images ☆