Another class of neutron star is known as a ‘magnetar’, due to their ultra-strong magnetic field. Their magnetic field intensity is indeed about 100 thousand millions Tesla, a thousand times more than an ordinary neutron star.
By comparison, Earth’s magnetic field is about five parts over 100 000 of a Tesla (most media used for data storage can be erased if they are exposed to a magnetic field of one thousandth of a Tesla).
Magnetars are a rare type of neutron star, with powerful magnetic fields making them prone to occasional violent outbursts. Only a small handful of these curious beasts have been found in our galaxy, but new research from the Chandra X-ray Observatory implies that they may be a lot more common than previously expected. They may simply be in hiding.
By comparison, Earth’s magnetic field is about five parts over 100 000 of a Tesla (most media used for data storage can be erased if they are exposed to a magnetic field of one thousandth of a Tesla).
Magnetars are a rare type of neutron star, with powerful magnetic fields making them prone to occasional violent outbursts. Only a small handful of these curious beasts have been found in our galaxy, but new research from the Chandra X-ray Observatory implies that they may be a lot more common than previously expected. They may simply be in hiding.
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