Science a GoGo's Home Page Forums General Discussion Physics Forum Magnetar Does A Gigantic Stellar 'Hiccup'

Astronomers using data from several X-ray satellites have caught a magnetar ? the remnant of a massive star with an incredibly strong magnetic field ? in a sort of giant cosmic belch. Here's an excerpt: However, it is possible to make educated guesses by extending theories developed to explain other neutron stars. The magnetic fields inside the neutron star are probably wound up, like a twisted spring. In a manner somewhat similar to plate tectonics here on Earth, as the magnetic fields unwind, they put stress on the outer crust. The crust would resist these stresses for a while, but would eventually fracture, producing a seismic event. The fractures would cause the magnetar's surface to shine brightly from multiple sources. For the full story Click Here.

A giant Magnetar flare equal to all the energy our Sun radiates in a quarter of a million years

More on your story Daniel here.

http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0502329

Mike Kremer