A magnetar’s magnetic field is so strong that if one were half the distance to the Moon, it could wipe credit card data on Earth.

What is a Magnetar?

A magnetar is a type of neutron star with an extraordinarily strong magnetic field(the strongest known in the universe). Magnetars are rare, with only around 30 confirmed cases in our galaxy. Their extreme magnetic fields make them behave very differently from ordinary neutron stars, causing them to emit intense bursts of X-rays and gamma rays.

How Do Magnetars Form?

Magnetars form when massive stars (at least 8–30 times the mass of the Sun) undergo a supernova explosion. The outer layers of the star are ejected, while the core collapses under gravity. If the remaining core is between 1.4 and 2.5 times the Sun’s mass, it doesn’t form a black hole but instead becomes a neutron star which is a super-dense ball of neutrons about 20 kilometers wide. For reasons not yet fully understood, a small fraction of neutron stars develop insanely powerful magnetic fields, turning them into magnetars. Scientists think this might be due to:

1. Rapid Rotation – If the collapsing core is spinning extremely fast, it can amplify the magnetic field.

2. Dynamo Effect– The movement of charged particles inside the star’s interior could act like a cosmic generator, strengthening the magnetic field.

How Strong is a Magnetar’s Magnetic Field?

The typical magnetic field of a magnetar is about 10¹⁴ to 10¹⁵ gauss.

For comparison: Earth's magnetic field is about 0.5 gauss.
A fridge magnet has about 100 gauss.
The strongest human-made magnets (used in MRI machines) are about 100,000 gauss.

Could a Magnetar Affect Earth?

Most magnetars are located thousands to tens of thousands of light-years away, so we are safe. However, if a magnetar were within 100 light-years of Earth, it could:

1. Disrupt satellites and communication networks.
2. Damage power grids through electromagnetic pulses.
3. Expose Earth to harmful radiation, potentially affecting the ozone layer.
4. Wipe out data and electronics from vast distances.
5. Produce energy bursts as powerful as a billion nuclear bombs.
6. Warp and break the very fabric of matter itself. They are rare, mysterious, and powerful cosmic phenomena lurking in the galaxy.

Why Study Magnetars?

Magnetars are some of the most extreme objects in the universe, and studying them helps scientists understand fundamental physics in ways that would be impossible to replicate on Earth.

1. Learning About Extreme Physics

🔹 Super-Powerful Magnetism: A magnetar's magnetic field is a trillion times stronger than a fridge magnet.Scientists study them to understand how magnetism works at its strongest
🔹 Strange New Matter: Inside a magnetar, atoms are squeezed so hard that they might break down into something called quark matter, which doesn’t exist naturally on Earth. If we understand this, we might discover new materials with super properties.
🔹 Einstein’s Theories in Action: Magnetars bend space and time because of their extreme gravity. By studying them, scientists can test Einstein’s theory of relativity and see if it holds up in the most extreme places in the universe.

2. Understanding How Stars Live and Die

🔹 What Happens When a Star Dies? Magnetars are born when giant stars explode. Studying them helps us figure out why some stars become black holes, some become neutron stars, and some turn into magnetars.
🔹 The Biggest Star Explosions Some super-powerful star explosions, called gamma-ray bursts, might be caused by magnetars. These are some of the most energetic events in the universe, and understanding them could explain how galaxies evolve.

3. Solving Space Mysteries Like Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)

🔹 Scientists have detected strange, ultra-fast radio signals from space. In 2020, they confirmed that a magnetar in our galaxy produced one of these signals, meaning magnetars might be a big clue in solving this cosmic mystery!

4. Preparing for Space Travel

If we ever send humans outside our Solar System, they’ll need to avoid magnetars. The powerful radiation from these objects could damage spacecraft and harm astronauts.

5. Inspiring Future Technology

🔹 Better Magnets & Energy Tech The magnetic fields of magnetars are beyond anything we can create on Earth. Learning how they work could lead to better MRI machines, stronger magnets, and new ways to store energy.
🔹 New Materials & Physics Discoveries The extreme conditions inside magnetars might help us discover new forms of matter, leading to breakthroughs in technology and materials science.