Scientists at the CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope in Australia have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding Earth’s closest magnetar. The magnetar, known as XTE J1810-197, has been found emitting unusual radio signals that are unlike anything seen before. Typically, magnetars emit polarized light, but this particular star is sending out circularly polarized radio waves, causing the light to spiral as it travels through space. This unexpected finding has left researchers astonished, with lead scientist Dr. Marcus Lower stating, “We had never seen anything like this before.”
The study’s co-author, Dr. Manisha Caleb from the University of Sydney, further noted that the readings from XTE J1810-197 do not align with any previous observations of magnetars. The complexity of the signals suggests interactions on the star’s surface that defy current theoretical explanations of such phenomena. Detecting any radio emission from a magnetar is rare, making this discovery even more significant.
The radio signals from XTE J1810-197 were initially detected in 2003 but went silent until 2018 when astronomers using the University of Manchester’s Lovell telescope observed their return. Subsequent observations by the CSIRO’s Murriyang instrument confirmed the presence of these unique radio waves. While the cause of these signals remains a mystery, researchers believe that a superheated plasma above the magnetar’s magnetic pole may be responsible, acting as a polarizing filter.
Further research will be required to unravel the complexities of the radio signals emitted by Earth’s closest magnetar. The researchers emphasize the importance of studying magnetars like XTE J1810-197 to gain insights into various extreme phenomena, such as plasma dynamics, X-ray bursts, gamma-ray bursts, and potentially fast radio bursts. The findings of this study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, underscore the significance of exploring these enigmatic celestial bodies to deepen our understanding of the universe.