Astrosat Detects Millisecond X-Ray Burst From New Magnetar
Utkarsh Classes
Last Updated
28-12-2023
Science
3 min read
Astrosat, India's first multi-wavelength space-based observatory, has detected a bright sub-second X-ray burst from a new and distinctive neutron star with an ultrahigh magnetic field (magnetar).
- This discovery may help understand the interesting extreme astrophysical conditions of magnetars.
- Scientists performed timing and spectral analysis of this magnetar using two instruments aboard Astrosat:
- Large Area X-ray Proportion Counter (LAXPC)
- Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT)
What are Magnetars?
- Magnetars are neutron stars that have ultrahigh magnetic fields that are much stronger than the terrestrial magnetic field.
- In general, the magnetic field of the magnetar is one quadrillion times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field.
- The high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by magnetars results from the decay of their powerful magnetic fields.
- Magnetars exhibit strong temporal variability, typically including slow spins, fast spins and bright but short bursts that last for months.
- One such magnetar, called SGR J1830-0645, was discovered by NASA's Swift spacecraft in October 2020.
About AstroSat:
- Astrosat is the first dedicated Indian Astronomy Mission.
- Its objective is to study celestial sources in the X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
- It was launched by PSLV-C30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, in September 2015.
- ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) manages the operations of Astrosat.
What is a neutron star?
- A neutron star is a dense and compact stellar body that is formed from the remains of the core of a massive star after a supernova explosion.
- These stars are among the densest objects known in the universe, compressing an enormous mass into a relatively small size.
- The discovery of pulsars in 1967 provided the first evidence of the existence of neutron stars. Pulsars are neutron stars that emit pulses of radiation once every rotation.
FAQ
Ans. AstroSat
Ans. It was launched by PSLV-C30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in September 2015.
Ans. ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC)
Ans. A neutron star is a dense and compact stellar body that is formed from the remains of the core of a massive star after a supernova explosion.
Ans. The magnetar, named SGR J1830-0645, was discovered by NASA's Swift spacecraft in October 2020.
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