According to a new study the X-ray light emitted by a certain magnetar - a highly magnetized dead star - appears to indicate that the star has a solid surface and no atmosphere. A study published in the journal Science has used data from NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite
This artist’s impression shows a magnetar in the star cluster Westerlund 1. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada
Magnetars are neutron stars – very dense remnant cores of massive stars that have exploded as supernovae at the ends of their lives. Unlike other neutron stars, they have an immense magnetic field – the most powerful in the universe. They emit bright X-rays and show erratic periods of activity, with the emission of bursts and flares which can release in just one second an amount of energy millions of times greater than our Sun emits in one year.
Co-lead author Professor Silvia Zane , a member of the IXPE science team, said: “This was completely unexpected. I was convinced there would be an atmosphere. The star’s gas has reached a tipping point and become solid in a similar way that water might turn to ice. This is a result of the star’s incredibly strong magnetic field.
Lead author Dr. Roberto Taverna, from the University of Padova, said: “The most exciting feature we could observe is the change in polarization direction with energy, with the polarization angle swinging by exactly 90 degrees. Professor Roberto Turolla, from the University of Padova, who is also an honorary professor at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory, said: “The polarization at low energies is telling us that the magnetic field is likely so strong to turn the atmosphere around the star into a solid or a liquid, a phenomenon known as magnetic condensation.”
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
3,700 Years Old – Scientists Discover the First Sentence Ever Written in CanaaniteThe Hebrew University has discovered an ivory comb from 1700 BCE that is inscribed with a plea to rid oneself of lice. The inscription reads: 'May this [ivory] tusk root out the lice of the hair and the beard.' The alphabet was developed around 1800 BCE and was used by the Canaanites and later, m
Consulte Mais informação »
BTK killer's daughter sickened to discover Bryan Kohberger studied fatherDennis Rader, who called himself BTK, was arrested in February 2005 and confessed to 10 killings in the Wichita, Kansas area between 1974 and 1991.
Consulte Mais informação »
Man who helped discover, develop Natural Bridge Caverns diesOrion Knox Jr., 81, helped develop the caverns after their discovery in 1960s
Consulte Mais informação »
Woke Wall Street firms discover they have no allies on Capitol HillInvestment firms that have turned woke are now realizing that the team they chose to join doesn’t really care about them.
Consulte Mais informação »
'I was told that my child was fine, then I discovered the truth'In an original essay, Hope Riley talks about an unexpected diagnosis that changed her son's life.
Consulte Mais informação »
What do you want to accomplish in 2023? This New Year's resolution guide can help✨ Make 2023 your year! NPRLifeKit compiled 40+ guides with inspiring and practical ways to help you reach your goals:
Consulte Mais informação »