magnetars
Extreme stellar corpses
Magnetars are neutron stars with extraordinarily powerful magnetic fields—the strongest known in the universe.
These collapsed stellar remnants, only about 20 kilometers across, pack more mass than the sun and can emit intense bursts of X-rays and gamma rays.
The magnetar's magnetic field was a quadrillion times stronger than Earth's.
Exploding massive star
- progenitorAncestor or originator
- remnantWhat stays after most goes
- core collapseStar's center caves inward
- birthComing into the world
Turning on an axis
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
- pulsesRhythmic throbs or edible legumes
- glitchesMinor system malfunctions
- frequencyRate of recurrence
Hard outer layer
- coreCentral essential portion
- starquakeSeismic event on collapsed stellar remnants
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
degeneracy · superfluidity · mass · radius · interior
Short-wavelength penetrating light
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- burstsBreaks open suddenly
- flaresPyrotechnic distress signals
- luminosityIntrinsic brightness of source
Continuous change or flow
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
- field linesPaths depicting field strength
- teslaMagnetic flux density unit
- gaussMagnetic flux density unit
supernova
Exploding massive star
- progenitorAncestor or originator
- remnantWhat stays after most goes
- core collapseStar's center caves inward
rotation
Turning on an axis
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
- pulsesRhythmic throbs or edible legumes
- glitchesMinor system malfunctions
crust
Hard outer layer
- coreCentral essential portion
- starquakeSeismic event on collapsed stellar remnants
- coolingLosing thermal energy
density · degeneracy · superfluidity · mass · radius · interior
X-rays
Short-wavelength penetrating light
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- burstsBreaks open suddenly
- flaresPyrotechnic distress signals
flux
Continuous change or flow
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
- field linesPaths depicting field strength
- teslaMagnetic flux density unit
magnetarsdark matter
Lightless cosmic mass
red dwarfs · gas giants · comets · planets · white dwarfs