Heuristic computational method for detecting near-zero apparent motion of objects on the series of CCD-frames

Abstract

In the paper we developed the heuristic computational method for detecting near-zero apparent motion of objects on the series of CCD-frames. The method uses decision rules to detect near-zero apparent motion of the object, that take into account the main features of the formation of the series of measurements of object’s magnitude and position on the CCD-frames. Using developed heuristic computational method was discovered C/2012 S1 (ISON) comet – long-period sungrazing comet, which at the discovery time was an object with near-zero apparent motion.