Astronomers record new precision data to help unlock the mysteries of magnetar birth

A team of international astronomers using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), part of the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), have gathered the most precise and detailed position and velocity measurements yet recorded for the youngest and fastest known nearby magnetar, Swift J1818.0-1617.

An artist's illustration of a magnetar, a highly magnetic neutron star. An international team of astronomers used the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Very Long Baseline Array to determine key characteristics of a nearby magnetar. Credit: NSF, AUI, NSF NRAO, S. Dagnello

These new measurements may help illuminate the mysterious conditions under which magnetars form.

Magnetars are the result of a particularly high-mass star collapse that causes a supernova explosion and initiates formation conditions for a neutron star. Neutron stars that develop a strong magnetic field — typically thousands of times stronger than a "regular" neutron star — are classified as magnetars, which are considered the most magnetic objects in the universe.

"These new observations, made possible by the high-resolution capabilities of the VLBA, allow detailed study of magnetars and provide a better understanding of these extreme objects," says Joe Pesce, NSF program director for NRAO.

From the 10 telescopes that make up the NSF VLBA, scientists used radio interferometry and the parallax method to triangulate the precise location and transverse velocity for Swift J1818.0-1617, which was first detected in 2020.

Determining the specific location of this magnetar — one of only 30 ever discovered — may also help scientists build a better model for understanding where magnetars tend to occur in spiral galaxies, lending more insight to their origins. (U.S. National Science Foundation)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Astronomers uncover risks to planets that could host life

Astronomers have discovered that red dwarf stars can produce stellar flares that carry far-ultraviolet (far-UV) radiation levels much higher than previously believed.

Perseverance Rover to Begin Long Climb Up Martian Crater Rim

After 3½ years exploring Jezero Crater’s floor and river delta, the rover will ascend to an area where it will search for more discoveries that could rewrite Mars’ history.

Hubble Examines a Possible Relic

This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image captures the dwarf irregular galaxy UGC 4879 or VV124.

NASA’s Fermi Finds New Feature in Brightest Gamma-Ray Burst Yet Seen

In October 2022, astronomers were stunned by what was quickly dubbed the BOAT — the brightest-of-all-time gamma-ray burst (GRB). Now an international science team reports that data from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope reveals a feature never seen before.

Perseverance Rover Scientists Find Intriguing Mars Rock

The six-wheeled geologist found a fascinating rock that has some indications it may have hosted microbial life billions of years ago, but further research is needed.

Webb Images Cold Exoplanet 12 Light-Years Away

An international team of astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has directly imaged an exoplanet roughly 12 light-years from Earth. The planet, Epsilon Indi Ab, is one of the coldest exoplanets observed to date.