The application of Bates' algorithm to binary stars

Abstract

Bates' algorithm has been analysed for binary stars by means of ‘theory’ and computer simulation, for both low and high intensity cases. Low intensity results indicate that the algorithm can resolve the 180° position ambiguity of 15th magnitude stars with a large telescope. High intensity results indicate that Bates' algorithm is probably better for determining relative intensities than the autocorrelation for $$\Delta m \leqslant 1.0 \,\text{mag}.$$