Using Image Deconvolution to Increase the Ability to Detect Stars and Faint Orbital Objects in CCD Imaging

In this paper we show how the techniques of image deconvolution can increase the ability to detect faint stars or faint orbital objects (small satellite and space debris) in CCD images. In the case of faint stars, we show that this benefit is equivalent to double the quantum efficiency of the CCD detector or to increase the effective telescope aperture by up to 40% without decreasing the astrometric precision or introducing artificial bias. In the case of orbital objects, the deconvolution technique can double the signal to noise ratio helping to discover and control dangerous objects as space debris or lost satellites.