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Canadian Astronomers Discover a Magnetar

Posted by michael on from the stellar-attraction dept.

trotski writes "The Globe and Mail is running an article about the discovery of a magnetar star by Canadian astronomers. The star, named SGR 1806-20, is located 40,000 light-years from earth. This neutron star is one of only four magnetars ever discovered. Magnetars are characterized by their huge magnetic fields, billions of times stronger than any magnets on Earth. Apparently, if this star was located as far away as the moon, it could demag floppy disks and suck change right out of your pocket."

4 of 79 comments (clear)

  1. Plus, by Bobulusman · · Score: 4, Funny

    Having a star as close as the moon would probably be pretty warm, too.

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    1. Re:Plus, by p4ul13 · · Score: 4, Funny
      Damn you for beating me to the punch on that comment.

      The article doesn't explain how they go about detecting such a star (bring a compass into space and see where it points??), but I found the last line amusing:

      "This neutron star could be as small as Winnipeg, but with a temperature several million times warmer," Prof. Safi-Harb said.

      A star that is much warmer than Winnipeg; Imagine that!

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  2. Democratic Star by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe the star is Democratic, not magnetic. A Demostar. Then it could suck the change out of your pocket.

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  3. Magnetar... by Dannon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Please tell me I'm not the only one here who thinks this sounds like a villain out of an 80's cartoon. Maybe Space Ghost, or Transformers.

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    Experience comes from bad judgment.