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| Magnetar |
A magnetar is a type of neutron star believed to have an extremely powerful magnetic field. The magnetic field decay powers the emission of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, particularly X-rays and gamma rays. The theory regarding these objects was proposed by Robert Duncan and Christopher Thompson in 1992, but the first recorded burst of gamma rays thought to have been from a magnetar had been detected on March 5, 1979. During the following decade, the magnetar hypothesis became widely accepted as a likely explanation for soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) and anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs).
Like other neutron stars, magnetars are around 20 kilometers (12 mi) in diameter and have a mass 2–3 times that of the Sun. The density of the interior of a magnetar is such that a tablespoon of its substance would have a mass of over 100 million tons. Magnetars are differentiated from other neutron stars by having even stronger magnetic fields, and by rotating comparatively quicker. Most neutron stars rotate once every one to ten seconds, whereas magnetars rotate once in less than one second. A magnetar's magnetic field gives rise to very strong and characteristic bursts of X-rays and gamma rays. The active life of a magnetar is short. Their strong magnetic fields decay after about 10,000 years, after which activity and strong X-ray emission cease. Given the number of magnetars observable today, one estimate puts the number of inactive magnetars in the Milky Way at 30 million or more.
Starquakes triggered on the surface of the magnetar disturb the magnetic field which encompasses it, often leading to extremely powerful gamma-ray flare emissions which have been recorded on Earth in 1979, 1998, and 2004.
What will happen if anything comes near a Magnetar?? First, let's see how powerful it's magnetic field is. To count the magnetic field we use gauss. Our earth magnetic field is 0.6 gauss, on the other hand, the magnetic field of a Magnetar can be as strong as one quadrillion gauss. again it is the most powerful magnet in the universe. So if anything comes near a Magnetar its atoms will be turned in to dust. And if it comes near our solar system everything in this solar system will turn into dust. It can even destroy our planet from very far away. Magnetarcan also is affected by something called starquakes. starquakes happen when a stars crust cracks letting massive amount of radiation out into space. This blast of radiation could compress the Earths magnetic field and partially ionize the earth atmosphere even from 50000 light years away.
Read more: Blackhole, Pulsar