SGR 0418, Magnetar, Composite
SGR 0418 is a magnetar, a type of neutron star that has a relatively slow spin rate and generates occasional large blasts of X-rays. The only plausible source for the energy emitted in these outbursts is the magnetic energy stored in the star. Most magnetars have extremely high magnetic fields on their surface that are ten to a thousand times stronger than for the average neutron star. New data shows that SGR 0418 doesn't fit that pattern. It has a surface magnetic field similar to that of mainstream neutron stars. The magnetar is seen as the pink source in the middle of the Chandra image. Release date May 23, 2013.
Size: 3300px × 3300px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 0418, 0418+5729, 2013, 21st, astronomical, astronomy, body, celestial, century, composite, deep, heavenly, herschel, image, infrared, magnetar, neutron, object, optical, remnant, science, sgr, sir, sky, space, spitzer, sst, star, stellar, telescope, william
