But it could be explained by magnetic fields — fields that were, in fact, found to be so strong that it was determined to be the most magnetic massive star ever recorded.
It even gave rise to a new definition: a “massive magnetic helium star.”Now, scientists suspect that one day, the star will collapse in a supernova explosion.
But it’s a massive step forward in unlocking the mysteries of magnetars, which have confounded scientists for decades.
The mysteries of a magnetic starThe massive magnetic helium star at the heart of the study is part of a two-star system called HD 45166.
Scientists already knew that about 10% of neutron stars are also magnetars.
Persons:
CNN —, ”, Tomer Shenar, “, ” Shenar, Julia Bodensteiner, “ It’s, gauss, —, ” Dr, Harsha Blumer, It’s, can’t, Shenar, there’s, that’s, you’d
Organizations:
CNN, Science, University of Amsterdam, West Virginia University
Locations:
Netherlands, Canada, France, Hawaii