Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Magnetars are a special category of neutron star that are characterized by their incredibly intense magnetic fields, with strengths ranging from 10¹³ to 10¹⁵ gauss—trillions of times larger than the magnetic field of the Sun. They control the star's activity, energizing extreme X-ray and gamma-ray outbursts and triggering phenomena not seen in normal neutron stars.Magnetars also appear as soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) or anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs), spewing out flares of energetic radiation that can temporarily outshine the entire galaxy in X-rays. The stored magnetic energy in the star is thought to lead to starquakes on the crust of the magnetar, which emit vast energies as radiation. Magnetars are exotic remnants of extremely massive stars that had died out in supernova explosions.

The exact processes involved in forming magnetars remain under research, but rapid rotation and intense magnetic field amplification during stellar collapse are the important processes. Magnetars have fairly short active lifetimes—about 10,000 years on average—before their magnetic activity decreases.Magnetars are observed at many wavelengths, from X-ray, gamma-ray, to radio frequencies. Space telescopes like Chandra, XMM-Newton, Swift, and Fermi have given thorough investigations of magnetar outbursts, timing behavior, and magnetic field evolution. These observations provide key insights into extreme physics, such as matter at ultra-high densities, magnetic field dissipation, and particle acceleration in strong magnetic fields.Magnetars also play crucial roles in stellar evolution, populations of compact objects, and high-energy astrophysical events, including possible associations with fast radio bursts (FRBs) and supernova remnants.

Through the study of magnetars, astrophysicists receive a special laboratory for learning about ultra-powerful magnetic fields, relativistic physics, and the evolution of massive stars.In general, magnetars are some of the most violent objects in the universe, giving deep insights into high-energy astrophysics, neutron star physics, and the dynamic processes that shape the cosmos.