Magnetars are a rare and exotic type of neutron star known for having the strongest magnetic fields in the universe—trillions of times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field. These intense magnetic fields can twist and stress the star’s crust, leading to powerful bursts of X-rays and gamma rays.
Formed from the remnants of supernova explosions, magnetars have masses similar to the Sun but are only about 20 kilometers wide. What sets them apart from other neutron stars is their extreme magnetism, which can cause:
- Starquakes on their crusts
- Sudden and violent magnetic flares
- Emission of high-energy radiation lasting from milliseconds to minutes
Magnetars rotate more slowly than typical pulsars, often taking several seconds per rotation, but their magnetic energy dominates their behavior. They are believed to be responsible for mysterious events such as soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) and anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs).
Though short-lived in cosmic terms (a few thousand to a million years), magnetars are some of the most powerful and dynamic objects in the known universe.