The undetectable fraction of core-collapse supernovae in luminous infrared galaxies -- II. GSAOI/GeMS dataset
Pith reviewed 2026-05-10 14:33 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Near-infrared adaptive optics data show that 86 percent of core-collapse supernovae in local luminous infrared galaxies remain undetectable in optical surveys.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
Based on the GSAOI/GeMS near-infrared adaptive optics monitoring dataset, the total undetectable fraction of core-collapse supernovae reaches 86.0^{+4.7}_{-5.9} percent for optical surveys limited to A_V = 3 mag extinction and 53.6^{+15.6}_{-19.6} percent for near-infrared surveys limited to A_V = 16 mag. When the new results are combined with an earlier adaptive-optics LIRG monitoring sample, the fractions increase to 88.3^{+2.6}_{-3.2} percent and 61.4^{+8.5}_{-10.6} percent, respectively. These values are obtained by comparing simulated detection probabilities against intrinsic rates estimated from spectral energy distribution modeling of each galaxy.
What carries the argument
Monte Carlo simulations that combine measured limiting magnitudes from artificial-supernova injection tests, survey cadence, literature-based CCSN subtype distributions, and light-curve diversity to compute per-galaxy detection probabilities.
Load-bearing premise
The simulations rest on assumed distributions of supernova subtypes and light-curve shapes taken from the literature, plus the accuracy of the galaxies' intrinsic supernova rates derived from spectral energy distribution modeling.
What would settle it
A significantly larger number of core-collapse supernovae detected in a comparable sample of local LIRGs than the model predicts, or a measured extinction distribution that deviates strongly from the one used in the simulations.
Figures
read the original abstract
Core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) in luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) can have extreme line-of-sight host galaxy dust extinctions, which leads to a large fraction of the events remaining undetected by optical and infrared surveys. This population of undetected CCSNe is important to constrain in order to determine the cosmic CCSN rates. Our aim is to confirm and refine our estimates for the undetectable fraction of CCSNe in LIRGs in the local Universe. Our study is based on the near-infrared K-band multi-epoch SUNBIRD survey monitoring dataset of a sample of nine LIRGs using the Gemini-South telescope with the multi-conjugate GSAOI/GeMS laser guide star adaptive optics system. We determined the limiting magnitudes for CCSN detection for each epoch in our dataset with artificial supernova injection and image subtraction methods. Subsequently, we used a Monte Carlo method to determine the combined effects of limiting magnitudes, survey cadence, CCSN subtype distribution, and their light curve evolution diversity. The intrinsic CCSN rates of the sample galaxies were estimated based on detailed modelling of their spectral energy distribution. Finally, we combined the resulting CCSN detection probabilities with the intrinsic CCSN rates for the dataset, and compared that against the real CCSN detections over the survey period. Based on our GSAOI/GeMS dataset, assuming optical or near-infrared example surveys with capabilities to detect CCSNe in local LIRGs with host extinctions of $A_V =$ 3 or 16 mag, respectively, the resulting total undetectable fractions are $86.0^{+4.7}_{-5.9}$ % and $53.6^{+15.6}_{-19.6}$ %. When folding in the results from our previous near-infrared adaptive optics assisted LIRG monitoring dataset, the corresponding total undetectable fractions are $88.3^{+2.6}_{-3.2}$ % and $61.4^{+8.5}_{-10.6}$ %, respectively.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The manuscript reports on the second installment of the SUNBIRD survey, presenting new multi-epoch K-band GSAOI/GeMS adaptive-optics observations of nine local LIRGs. Artificial-supernova injection and image-subtraction techniques are used to measure epoch-specific limiting magnitudes. These empirical limits, together with survey cadence, literature CCSN subtype fractions, light-curve diversity, and SED-derived intrinsic rates, are propagated via Monte Carlo simulations to obtain CCSN detection probabilities. The resulting undetectable fractions for example optical (A_V=3 mag) and near-infrared (A_V=16 mag) surveys are 86.0^{+4.7}_{-5.9}% and 53.6^{+15.6}_{-19.6}% from the new data alone; when the previous AO dataset is folded in, the fractions become 88.3^{+2.6}_{-3.2}% and 61.4^{+8.5}_{-10.6}%. The simulated detection numbers are compared with the actual CCSNe found in the survey.
Significance. If the quoted fractions hold, the work supplies a quantitatively important constraint on the hidden CCSN population in dusty starbursts, directly relevant to cosmic CCSN rate determinations. The new GSAOI/GeMS dataset supplies direct empirical limiting-magnitude measurements that tighten the earlier estimates. The Monte Carlo framework is standard and well-suited; the transparent combination of two independent AO datasets and the consistency check against real detections are strengths. The approach avoids circularity by deriving intrinsic rates independently from SED modeling and detection probabilities from simulations benchmarked on the observations.
minor comments (4)
- §2.2: The text states that limiting magnitudes were determined for each epoch but does not tabulate the per-epoch values or their uncertainties; adding a supplementary table would allow readers to reproduce the Monte Carlo input distribution directly.
- Figure 4: The caption does not specify whether the plotted light-curve templates are in the observed K band or rest-frame; clarifying the bandpass and the exact references for each subtype template would remove ambiguity.
- §4.3: When the two datasets are combined, the procedure for merging the two independent Monte Carlo realizations (joint sampling versus weighted averaging of the separate fractions) is not stated explicitly; a short sentence or equation would make the 88.3% and 61.4% values fully reproducible.
- Table 3: The reported asymmetric uncertainties on the undetectable fractions are given to one decimal place, but the underlying Monte Carlo sample size used to derive them is not mentioned; stating the number of trials would indicate whether the quoted precision is limited by sampling noise.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the positive and constructive assessment of our manuscript. The recommendation for minor revision is appreciated, and we note that no specific major comments were raised in the report.
Circularity Check
No significant circularity; central derivation uses independent inputs and simulations
full rationale
The undetectable fractions are obtained from Monte Carlo simulations that combine empirically measured limiting magnitudes (via artificial SN injections), survey cadence, literature CCSN subtype fractions and light-curve diversity, plus intrinsic rates from separate SED modeling of the galaxies. The GSAOI/GeMS dataset supplies direct observational constraints on detection thresholds. Folding in the authors' prior AO dataset constitutes dataset combination, not a load-bearing self-citation that collapses the result to an unverified premise. No equation reduces a prediction to a fitted parameter by construction, no uniqueness theorem is imported from self-citation, and the derivation remains self-contained against external benchmarks.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
free parameters (2)
- CCSN subtype distribution
- Light-curve diversity parameters
axioms (2)
- domain assumption Intrinsic CCSN rates can be reliably estimated from galaxy SED modeling combined with a standard initial mass function.
- domain assumption The combination of measured limiting magnitudes, survey cadence, and modeled light curves fully determines detection probability.
Reference graph
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