Artist's illustration of a magnetar

Astronomy & Observing News

Wandering Magnetar Has Mysterious Origins

Astronomers who tracked a roaming magnetar for over a decade found that it didn’t originate from a supernova, making its origins an open question.

Magnetic massive star shines blue with dipole field

Astronomy & Observing News

Astronomers Find Strange Star Is a Powerful Magnet

Astronomers have found a star that has a magnetic field rivaling the strongest magnet humans have ever built — and it might explain the origin of highly magnetic cinders known as magnetars.

Giant flare on a magnetar

Astronomy & Observing News

Milky Way Magnetar Spits Gamma Rays on Schedule

A Milky Way magnetar surprises astronomers by burping up gamma rays right when their predictions anticipated.

Giant flare on a magnetar

Astronomy & Observing News

Masquerading Magnetars Make Short Brilliant Bursts

Giant flares emitted from the surface of highly magnetized neutron stars could explain some gamma-ray flashes astronomers have caught over the past few decades.