The unusual magnetar, called XTE J1810–197, again shows signs of activity and emits intense radio pulses in our direction.
This rotating star belongs to the class of magnetars – neutron stars with an extremely powerful magnetic field. Neutron stars are very dense and compact remnants of larger stars and are considered the densest objects in the Universe, if you do not consider black holes.
This particular magnetar is called XTE J1810–197. It is one of the 23 magnetars ever discovered by scientists, and besides, is one of only four radio magnets known to science. This magnetar was first discovered in 2004, and then in 2008, it suddenly “fell silent”, ceasing to emit radio waves. Now, astronomers have recorded a repeated manifestation of activity on the part of this magnetar, which was noted on December 8, 2018 – however, this time the nature of the radio pulses from this magnetar has slightly changed.
Scientists do not know exactly what caused the falling asleep or awakening of the magnetar XTE J1810–197; Magnetars are among the rarest and least studied objects of the Universe. However, during the two months of observations made after the re-emergence of activity from this magnetar, the nature of its pulsations began to noticeably differ from the pulsations observed between 2004 and 2008.
When the magnetar XTE J1810–197 was last observed with telescopes in 2008, its flashes were non-periodic in nature, and the pulsation mode changed dramatically over relatively short periods of time. Now the behavior of this source has become more stable, the researchers report. At the same time, there was a significant increase in the torque of the star – which astronomers consider to be a characteristic feature of waking up pulsars.
Magnetar awoke after ten years of silence
Click To Tweet
The post Magnetar awoke after ten years of silence appeared first on Upcosmos.com.