Feasibility Study for Application of Sonneberg Observatory Digitized Astrograph Plates for Searches for Lost Stars

ABSTRACT We report the results of the feasibility study of the application of digitised Sonneberg Observatory astrograph plates in modern astrophysics. The project aims to conclude a possible solution suggestion for finding the abnormal phenomenon 'lost stars in images of the sky. It entails the strategic method of finding lost stars using modern technology and software. The procedure is summarized by comparing historical images against more recent ones and looking for differences in the brightness of stars. By doing so, it can be determined if a star has been lost. From implementing this on real images of the sky and the complexity and richness of the variability phenomena, it is evident that lost stars are indeed difficult to verify. Due to the noisy characteristics of images of the sky and the above‐mentioned richness of the variability among star images, it is not so trivial determining if a star is lost or not. This project advances the understanding of lost stars by creating a more efficient way of determining if a star is lost. The main goal of this study was, however, more general, namely to confirm the feasibility of use of digitised Sonneberg Observatory astrograph plates for modern astrophysical research.