Astronomers may have just solved one of the greatest mysteries in science with the discovery of a bizarre new star that is 43,000 times more magnetic than the sun. This star, known as HD 45166, has a magnetic field so powerful that it is the strongest ever found in a massive star. It is believed that this star could be on the verge of becoming a magnetar, which are the most powerful magnetic stars in the universe.
Magnetars are incredibly rare, with only 10% of dead neutron stars transforming into these powerhouses. Scientists have long been puzzled by their births and sudden eruptions. However, the discovery of HD 45166 may provide some answers.
Researchers studying the star-pair HD 45166 found that one of the stars in the pair, a Wolf-Rayet star, has a magnetic field of 43,000 gauss, while our sun only has a magnetic field of one gauss. This makes HD 45166 the most magnetic massive star ever discovered.
Lead study author Tomer Shenar, an astronomer at the University of Amsterdam, became obsessed with this unique star and had a hunch that it could be magnetic. Shenar and his team embarked on a globetrotting mission, collecting data from various observatories, including the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and the La Silla Observatory.
Their findings suggest that the magnetized Wolf-Rayet star formed from the merger of two lower-mass helium stars. When this unified star eventually collapses, it is predicted to become a magnetar. The team believes that their research provides a clear line of evidence-based theory from supernova to magnetar, as well as introducing a new type of ultra-high magnetic star.
While there may still be other ways magnetars are formed, this discovery brings scientists closer to understanding the creation of these incredibly powerful magnets in the universe. While we won’t be around to witness the collapse of HD 45166, which is estimated to happen in approximately 1 million years, researchers have made significant strides in unraveling the mystery of magnetars.
This discovery has far-reaching implications for our understanding of stellar evolution and the immense forces at play in the cosmos. The study of HD 45166 and its potential transformation into a magnetar opens up new avenues for research and provides valuable insights into the nature of these enigmatic and powerful cosmic entities.
As scientists continue to explore the wonders of the universe, discoveries like HD 45166 bring us one step closer to unlocking the secrets of the cosmos. The magnetic forces at play in stars and their transformations shine a light on the complex and awe-inspiring processes that shape our universe.