Magnetars are a type of neutron star, which are the remnants of massive stars that have exploded in supernovae. What sets magnetars apart from other neutron stars is their extremely powerful magnetic fields, which are the strongest in the universe, exceeding a quadrillion times the strength of Earth’s magnetic field. These intense magnetic fields are responsible for the emission of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, particularly X-rays and gamma rays. Magnetars exhibit dramatic bursts and flares of this radiation, which can release more energy in a fraction of a second than our sun emits in 100,000 years. The formation of these extraordinary magnetic fields is still not completely understood, but it is believed to be related to the dynamics of the neutron star’s rapidly spinning, superconducting core. Although magnetars are rare, with only about 30 currently confirmed, they offer valuable insights into the behavior of matter under the most extreme conditions.
Researchers using Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope, have detected unusual radio pulses from a previously dormant star with a powerful magnetic field. New results published…
Using two of the agency’s X-ray telescopes, researchers were able to zoom in on a dead star’s erratic behavior as it released a bright, brief…
A universal relation for pulsars, magnetars, and potentially fast radio bursts. An international research team led by Michael Kramer and Kuo Liu from the Max…
Magnetar Origins Explored New findings centered on observations and stellar evolution models of a hot, helium-rich Wolf-Rayet star suggest that it is set to produce…
Research team identifies a highly unusual star that may evolve into a magnetar — the most magnetic object in the known Universe. Astronomers found a…
New Type of Star Gives Clues to Mysterious Origin of Magnetars Magnetars are the strongest magnets in the Universe. These super-dense dead stars with ultra-strong…
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a unique stellar object, an ultra-long period magnetar, challenging current understanding of neutron star physics. The enigmatic object, discovered…
A “beautiful effect” predicted by quantum electrodynamics (QED) may provide an explanation for the perplexing initial sightings of polarized X-rays radiating from a magnetar –…
The sudden slowdown of a star in 2020 provides an opportunity to test the “anti-glitch” theory. On October 5th, 2020, a rapidly rotating remnant of…
A recent publication in the journal Nature Astronomy is offering new insights into magnetars, whose characteristics are still not well understood. A magnetar is a…
According to a new study the X-ray light emitted by a certain magnetar – a highly magnetized dead star – appears to indicate that the…
Scientists simulate a perplexing explosive process that occurs throughout the universe. Mysterious fast radio bursts are among the most perplexing phenomena in the universe, releasing…
In radio astronomy, a fast radio burst (FRB) is a transient radio pulse of length ranging from a fraction of a millisecond to a few…
An international scientific group with outstanding Valencian participation has managed to measure for the first time oscillations in the brightness of a neutron star –…
On April 15, 2020, a brief burst of high-energy light swept through the solar system, triggering instruments on several NASA and European spacecraft. Now, multiple…
Apart from black holes, magnetars may be the most extreme stars in the universe. With a diameter less than the length of Manhattan, they pack…
Astronomers recently found the fastest spinning and possibly the youngest magnetar yet. J1818.0-1607 is located about 21,000 light-years away in the Milky Way galaxy. Magnetars…
Astronomers have recently found the fastest spinning and possibly the youngest magnetar known. This object, known as J1818.0-1607, is located about 21,000 light-years away in…