Infographic: Evolution of a massive magnetic helium star into a magnetar
A team of researchers, including NOIRLab astronomer André-Nicolas Chené, has found a highly unusual star that may become one of the most magnetic objects in the Universe: a variant of a neutron star known as a magnetar. This finding marks the discovery of a new type of astronomical object — a massive magnetic helium star — and sheds light on the origin of magnetars.
- Panel one illustrates the system, known as HD 45166, as it appears today.
- Panel two illustrates how, in a few million years, HD 45166 will explode as a very bright, but not particularly energetic, supernova. During this explosion, its core will contract, trapping and concentrating the star’s already daunting magnetic field lines.
- Panel three illustrates the ultimate fate of HD 45166 after its core has collapsed, resulting in a neutron star with a magnetic field of around 100 trillion gauss — the most powerful type of magnet in the Universe.
NOIRLab/AURA/NSF/P. Marenfeld/M. Zamani
About the Image
Id: | noirlab2323b |
Type: | Collage |
Release date: | Aug. 17, 2023, 11 a.m. |
Related releases: | noirlab2323 |
Size: | 3840 x 6480 px |
About the Object
Category: | Illustrations |
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