Automatic detection of arcs and arclets formed by gravitational lensing

¹ Institute of Computer Science, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
² Institute for Astrophysics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Corresponding author: F. Lenzen, Frank.Lenzen@uibk.ac.at

Received: 10 July 2003
Accepted: 13 November 2003

Abstract

We present an algorithm developed particularly to detect gravitationally lensed arcs in clusters of galaxies. This algorithm is suited for automated surveys as well as individual arc detections. New methods are used for image smoothing and source detection. The smoothing is performed by so-called anisotropic diffusion, which maintains the shape of the arcs and does not disperse them. The algorithm is much more efficient in detecting arcs than other source finding algorithms and the detection by eye.