Search for Trans-Neptunian objects: an automated technique applied to images obtained with the UH 8k CCD Mosaic Camera

In this paper we present the results obtained with a new program dedicated to the automatic detection of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) with standard sets of images obtained in a same field of view. This program is available freely from the World Wide Web server of the Observatory of Besancon (http: //www.obs-besancon.fr/www/ publi/philippe/tno.html) and is designed to be u sed with the Munich Image Data Analysis System (MIDAS) developped by The Eu ropean Southern Observatory (ESO). It has been tested with observational da ta collected with the UH 81; CCD mosaic Camera on October 27, 1997, at the prime focus of the CFH telescope (Mauna Kea, Hawaii). These observational d ata had lead, by the classical method of blinking, to a first detection of a new TNO with a magnitude estimated at 23.6 and an unusually high orbital inclination (i similar or equal to 33 degrees). The program managed to dete ct this object, as well as detecting another TNO (m(R) similar or equal to 23.9), confirming its ability to detect faint moving objects.