Discovering vanishing objects in POSS I red images using the Virtual Observatory

TL;DR

This study uses Virtual Observatory tools to identify sources in POSS I red images that have vanished in recent surveys, providing insights into transient objects and setting limits on supernovae failure rates.

Contribution

It introduces a method for detecting vanished sources in historical astronomical images using Virtual Observatory archives, expanding transient search capabilities.

Findings

Identified 298,165 sources visible only in POSS I images.

Found 180 high proper motion objects without Gaia data.

Estimated supernova failure rate in the Milky Way as less than one in a billion.

Abstract

In this paper we report a search for vanishing sources in POSS I red images using Virtual Observatory archives, tools and services. The search, conducted in the framework of the VASCO project, aims at finding POSS I (red) sources not present in recent catalogues like Pan-STARRS DR2 (limiting magnitude r=21.4) or Gaia EDR3 (limiting magnitude G=21). We found 298 165 sources visible only in POSS I plates, out of which 288 770 had a crossmatch within 5 arcsec in other archives (mainly in the infrared), 189 were classified as asteroids, 35 as variable objects, 3 592 as artefacts from the comparison to a second digitization (Supercosmos), and 180 as high proper motion objects without information on proper motion in Gaia EDR3. The remaining unidentified transients (5 399) as well as the 172 163 sources not detected in the optical but identified in the infrared regime are available from a Virtual Observatory compliant archive and can be of interest in searches for strong M-dwarf flares, high-redshift supernovae, asteroids, or other categories of unidentified red transients. No point sources were detected by both POSS-I and POSS-II before vanishing, setting the rate of failed supernovae in the Milky Way during 70 years to less than one in one billion.