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Canadian Astronomers Discover a Magnetar
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."
The star -- one of only four stars known as magnetars -- is billions of times stronger than the most powerful magnets on Earth.
Well golly! Really?
A stellar object that has more power than something man-made? How could that be?
I mean, they're making this acessible to the man of the street, that's allright, but do they have to assume that the man on the street is that dumb?
You can't take the sky from me...