Astronomers discover new type of star that could solve cosmic mystery

Astronomers have discovered a new type of star, and it looks like an important clue to solving a long-standing cosmic mystery. This massive helium star has an extremely strong magnetic field, so it could be the first phase of the magnetar, a dense stellar mass of unknown origin until now.

A new type of star

Magnetars are a type of neutron stars with the strongest magnetic fields in space. The magnetic fields of these stars are millions of times stronger than those on Earth and are therefore predicted to be very intense and energetic. Magnetars are generally thought to have formed as a result of a supernova explosion in the core of the star.

Named HD 45166, this star was detected as a binary star located 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Monoceros. The primary star in the binary system is quite massive and consists mostly of helium, but observations suggest it has some unexplained properties. That’s why astronomers took a closer look at it with observing instruments around the world.

Pioneer magnetar star

The new data obtained revealed that the star has an ultra-strong magnetic field of 43,000 gauss (magnetic field unit). For example, the Sun’s is only 10 gauss. This makes HD 45166’s primary star the most magnetic star ever found. “It’s exciting to uncover a new type of astronomical object,” said Tomer Shenar, lead author of the study. Especially if it’s been hidden from view all along.” used his statements.

This discovery could help explain not only a whole new type of star, but also another astronomical anomaly, such as neutron stars with incredibly strong magnetic fields known as magnetars. A few dozen of these objects have been confirmed so far. Although believed to form when massive stars collapse, it remains unclear why only some acquire intense magnetic fields and become magnetars, while others become normal neutron stars.

According to their calculations, the team believes HD 45166 will most likely turn into a magnetar when it dies, gaining an even stronger magnetic field of 100 trillion gauss. Further observations may reveal other similar stars that appear to be magnetar precursors, which could answer the question of where they came from.