Science with Virtual Observatory Tools

Abstract

The Virtual Observatory is now mature enough to produce cutting-edge science results. The exploitation of astronomical data beyond classical identification limits with interoperable tools for statistical identification of sources has become a reality. I present the discovery of 68 optically faint, obscured (i.e., type 2) active galactic nuclei (AGN) candidates in the two GOODS fields using the Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (AVO) prototype. Thirty-one of these sources have high estimated X-ray powers (>10^44 erg/s) and therefore qualify as optically obscured quasars, the so-called QSO 2. The number of these objects in the GOODS fields is now 40, an improvement of a factor > 4 when compared to the only 9 such sources previously known. By going ~ 3 magnitudes fainter than previously known type 2 AGN in the GOODS fields the AVO is sampling a region of redshift -- power space much harder to reach with classical methods. I also discuss the AVO move to our next phase, the EURO-VO, and our short-term plans to continue doing science with the Virtual Observatory.