A powerful magnetar, traveling through our galaxy from an unknown birthplace, is puzzling scientists with its unusual origin story. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has tracked the object, SGR 0501+4516, for over a decade, revealing it likely didn’t form in the typical violent supernova explosion that creates ultra-magnetic neutron stars.
Neutron stars are dead remnants of stars composed entirely of neutrons, and magnetars possess extreme magnetic fields. These stellar remnants have extraordinary powers, capable of erasing credit cards at half the Moon’s distance or functioning like a death ray within 600 miles.
Originally spotted in 2008, SGR 0501+4516 appeared to be associated with a nearby supernova remnant called HB9. However, precise star-mapping data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia spacecraft showed that the magnetar is actually traveling on a trajectory that couldn’t have originated from that supernova remnant.
This discovery suggests alternative formation scenarios for SGR 0501+4516, such as the merger of two lower-mass neutron stars or accretion-induced collapse. Researchers believe this process could be how the magnetar was born.
The findings may shed light on fast radio bursts, powerful flashes of radio waves lasting only milliseconds. Understanding magnetar birth rates and formation scenarios is crucial for high-energy astrophysics and has implications for many transient events.
Additional Hubble observations will study other magnetars in our galaxy, potentially revealing if SGR 0501+4516 is truly unique or represents a new understanding of these cosmic extremes.
Source: https://scienceblog.com/rogue-magnetar-defies-known-star-birth