Using CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope Murriyang, researchers detected unusual radio pulses coming from a previously dormant star with a strong magnetic field. The new results were published today (April 8). Natural Astronomy, It explains the complex behavior of radio signals from magnetar XTE J1810-197.

Magnetars are a type of neutron stars and are the strongest magnets in the universe. This magnetar, approximately 8000 light-years away, is also the closest known magnetar to Earth. Most are known to emit polarized light, but the light emitted by this magnetar has circular polarization, where the light appears to spiral as it moves through space.

Unprecedented discoveries in space exploration

Dr D., a research scientist at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Marcus Lower led the latest research and said the results were unexpected and completely unprecedented.

“Unlike the radio signals we’ve seen from other magnetars, this magnetar emits a large amount of rapidly changing circular polarization. We’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Dr. Lower.

from the University of Sydney and co-author of the study, Dr. Manisha Caleb said the study of magnetars provides information about the physics of intense magnetic fields and the environment they create.

“The signals emitted by this magnetar indicate that interactions on the star’s surface are more complex than previous theoretical explanations.”

Advanced astronomical methods and theories

Detection of radio pulses from magnetars is currently extremely rare: the XTE J1810-197 is one of the few devices known to produce them. Although it’s unclear why this magnetar behaves so differently, the team has an idea.

“Our results show that superheated plasma exists above the magnetic pole of the magnetar, which acts as a polarization filter,” Dr Lower said. “Exactly how plasma does this has not yet been determined.”

The XTE J1810-197 first transmitted radio signals in 2003. Then he remained silent for more than a decade. The signals were detected again in 2018 by the 76-metre Lovell Telescope at the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory and have since been quickly followed up by Murryang, who has been vital in observing the magnetar’s radio emissions.

​The 64 meter diameter telescope in Wiradjuri Country is equipped with an advanced ultra-wideband receiver. The receiver was developed by CSIRO engineers, a world leader in the development of technologies for radio astronomy applications.

Because the receiver is very sensitive to brightness and polarization changes over a wide range of radio frequencies, it allows more accurate measurements of celestial objects, especially magnetars. Magnetar studies such as this provide insight into a range of extreme and unusual events, including plasma dynamics, X-ray and gamma-ray bursts, and potentially fast radio bursts.