Magnetars: Neutron Stars with Extreme Magnetic Fields

Magnetars are neutron stars with magnetic fields up to a trillion times stronger than Earth’s.
Their intense magnetism can twist and crack the star’s crust, releasing giant bursts of energy.
A single magnetar flare can outshine the Sun for 100,000 years—in just a fraction of a second.
They are rare, with only about 30 confirmed magnetars in our galaxy.
Their powerful fields can distort atoms, stretching them into bizarre shapes.
Magnetars sometimes emit mysterious fast radio bursts (FRBs) detected across the universe.
They spin slowly compared to typical pulsars, often just once every few seconds.
If one were within 1,000 light-years, its radiation could disrupt Earth’s atmosphere.
Magnetars are thought to be a brief stage in the life of some neutron stars.
These cosmic powerhouses push physics to its absolute extremes.