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HD 45166, a neutron star that can become the strongest magnet in our observable universe by turning into a Magnetar.
It is located approximately 3,000 light years away from earth, discovered by astronomers and also sighted by many other telescopes around the globe.
What is a Magnetar?
In just a few million years, this neutron star is supposed to go supernova by contracting and and taking in every thing inside it including its own magnetic field until it results in an explosion that will most likely lead to the creation of a Magnetar.
A Magnetar is a giant- helium based star, pulsing magnetic energy and waves that echo in the galaxy. Magnetars are a rare sighting in our universe let alone one with a massive 43,000 gauss in its magnetic strength.
Their strength can tear your body down from molecules to ions if you come in its radius of 1,000 km. This star will literally destroy the magnetism of the atoms of our body.
To understand its strength, in 2004, a solar flare of a magnetar which was 50,000 light years away disrupted the magnetic field of the earth.
This disruption ionised the upper surface of the Earth’s atmosphere and temporarily transformed its magnetic field to ring like a bell. Several satellites that were orbiting in the thermosphere and exosphere were blinded by the event.
Soon after the astronomers discovered that this event was caused by an unbelievably, powerful Magnetar SGR 1806-20.
If such a magnitude of magnetic radiation blast happened within 10 light years of the radius around earth, it would destroy much of the ozone layer and eventually cause in mass extinction of the human species due to the extreme increase in radiation.
If a Magnetar would have been at the distance of our moon, then it had the power to wipe every credit card from the surface of the earth.
In mass, a magnetar is generally 1 1/2 times the mass of our own sun but it’s amazing to know that it’s small size of around 24 km( a city) produces magnetic fields capable of affecting planets like us 50,000 light year away!
Principle of it’s Power
They are amongst the most fascinating and mysterious objects of the universe alongside the wormhole and blackhole. Scientists have theorized that its bizarre heavy neutron composition could be a reason for its nature but like the blackhole, we don’t know yet of how it works in principle.
The speciality about this star is that it is the first time that astronomers have discovered a neutron stars with a massive helium percentage containing inside it, which could help astronomers understand of the creation of the Magnetar itself.
Before the discovery of HD 45166, the creation of magnetar was only based on theory and mathematical equations but now, astronomers have an opportunity to understand the principle and causes that leads to the creation of a Magnetar.
Their study will be based on how its high concentration of helium when compressed during a supernova, could lead to a powerful neutron star, which has exceptional magnetic properties.
A Star Absorption?
Moreover, HD 45166 has another star orbiting around it and will reach the pinnacle of magnetic prowess after it turns into a neutron star and possibly with it, engulfing the star orbiting around it. This star is the remnant of a star’s explosion. On the collision of these two, it could lead to the Magnetar’s strength increasing to 100 trillion gauss.
Till now, a total of 31 Magnetars sightings are confirmed with many more in the universe waiting to be discovered.
