Astronomers Discover Rare and Mysterious Magnetar GPM J1839-10
A team of astronomers in Australia have stumbled upon a highly unusual magnetar named GPM J1839-10, located 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Scutum. The discovery challenges current understanding of neutron stars and magnetars, which are considered some of the most exotic objects in the universe.
For several decades, GPM J1839-10 remained hidden in plain sight, appearing and disappearing while emitting energy three times per hour. However, it wasn’t until the team from Curtin University observed it in 2022 with the Murchison Wide-Field Array radio telescope that they identified it as a possible long-period magnetar.
Long-period magnetars are extremely magnetic dead stars that release energy in bursts lasting from seconds to minutes. They typically lose their magnetic fields after about 10,000 years, making them short-lived phenomena. However, GPM J1839-10 emits energy bursts for five minutes every 22 minutes, making it the longest period magnetar ever found.
Interestingly, GPM J1839-10 was actually observed by other radio observatories dating back to 1988, including the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in India and the Very Large Array in the USA. However, nobody knew what it was until now.
The discovery of GPM J1839-10 challenges the conventional understanding of magnetars, as it is spinning too slowly to emit radio waves. According to lead researcher Natasha Hurley-Walker, “Assuming it’s a magnetar, it shouldn’t be possible for this object to produce radio waves. But we’re seeing them. Whatever mechanism is behind this is extraordinary.”
This finding opens up new questions for astronomers as they continue to study the formation and evolution of magnetars, as well as the role of colliding neutron stars. It may also provide insights into fast radio bursts detected throughout the universe.
Further research and discovery of more long-period magnetars like GPM J1839-10 will help astronomers determine if they are typical magnetars or a unique find in the cosmic zoo of the universe.