The blink tool is used to find objects moving against the stellar background by comparing images taken some time apart. the star fields are aligned with each other and then the observer rapidly flips between the images. Objects that have moved or changed in brightness will "blink". Solar system objects like asteroids, planets and comets with change position and blink. Variable stars will just blink. The dwarf planet Pluto was found by this method in 1930. This tool will take the first and last image of a day, roughly align the starfields and then flip between the images. Try the tool on a bright obvious object like a planet to see what it looks like blinking before looking for faint objects.

Select SECCHI Telescope and Date to Blink

Updated: 27 Nov 2013 by DW