A computer compares the images and locates any differences.. the difference will be a NEO.

Do some basic trig and you can get a rough distance from earth.

Compare this to a database of known NEO’s, if unknown repeat the process the next night at the same spot of the sky to begin to plot its orbit.

Same basic technique that amatuers do today, but instead of having the reference images split by distance, its split by time. it takes longer to do with just one telescope.

And this technique has been proven recently, a highschool student got a scholarship for doing just this setup a year or two ago. I remeber seeing that and say hey she stole my idea.. but really glad its proven, and at least someone got their college paid for. I do know there are rarely ever an origional idea, its who ever gets published first. (besides its all about protecting us)

http://www.spectrum.newmilford.com/052303/science.htm

personally the passing of the bill is the best news ive seen in some time. Getting hit is my personal nightmare that has kept me a space advocate, after the romance wore of so long ago.