Newly discovered magnetar challenges our understanding of physics
This contradicts current theories and laws of science. It comes from a cosmic object that emits radio waves every 22 minutes. Introducing the magnetar, a particular type of neutron star that generates intense magnetic fields and emits electromagnetic radiation.
This unique phenomenon involves a magnetar with the longest period of radio wave emission ever discovered. Named GPM J1839-10, it is located approximately 15,000 light years from Earth. A team of astronomers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research discovered it using the Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia. This mysterious object has been sending a radio signal to Earth every 22 minutes for 33 years.
Unusual discovery
The neutron star GPM J1839-10 is exceptional for several reasons. Firstly, it is only the second object of its kind to be discovered. The first object was discovered by student Tyrone O'Doherty from Curtin University. GPM J1839-10 stands out because it emits bursts of energy lasting up to five minutes—five times longer than the previous object.
The magnetar GPM J1839-10 poses many challenges to scientists, as its behaviour does not fit current theories. Usually, magnetars, a special type of neutron star, emit radio waves only when they rotate fast enough. However, GPM J1839-10 rotates too slowly to be able to emit this kind of radiation. Nevertheless, we still detect radio emissions from this object.
The researchers used a series of advanced telescopes to confirm their discovery, including CSIRO radio telescopes in Australia, MeerKAT in South Africa, the Grantecan telescope, and the XMM-Newton space telescope.
Did scientists know about the signal earlier?
The history of the discovery of the star is incredibly interesting because it turned out the object, initially unnoticed, had already been recorded earlier. In 1988, the American Very Large Array telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope captured it during their observations.
For 33 years, no one recognized its uniqueness. Only during a re-examination of the data did researchers' attention turn to the object that remained unnoticed for such a long time. This shows how unexpected discoveries can result from rethinking and analyzing previous data.
Scientists, including Natasha Hurley-Walker, cannot explain this phenomenon using current theoretical models. This means that GPM J1839-10 might be a completely new type of magnetar that requires the development of new theories to understand how it is able to emit radiation despite slower rotation. This is a great example of how astronomical discoveries can lead to revising existing scientific assumptions and seeking new explanations.
