Astronomers find youngest known magnetar

NASA and ESA discovered a neutron star, Swift J1818.0-1607, born from a supernova visible 240 years ago. This neutron star is a rare magnetar, located 16,000 light years away in Sagittarius. It is 1,240 years old, with twice the Sun's mass in a 25 km diameter. Magnetars are powerful magnetic objects and a type of pulsar, emitting radiation due to misaligned rotation and magnetic axes.

What event leads to the formation of a neutron star?

• A star expanding indefinitely

• A star colliding with another star

• A star gaining nuclear fuel

• A star running out of nuclear fuel

What is the unique feature of a magnetar compared to other neutron stars?

• It has a weaker magnetic field

• It is larger in size

• It has an extremely powerful magnetic field

• It is closer to Earth

In which constellation is the magnetar Swift J1818.0-1607 located?

• Orion

• Sagittarius

• Andromeda

• Cassiopeia

What is a pulsar?

• A star that has stopped spinning

• A spinning neutron star emitting radiation beams

• A type of black hole

• A planet orbiting a neutron star

What causes the pulses of radiation from a pulsar?

• The increase in its magnetic field strength

• The misalignment of its rotation and magnetic axes

• The alignment of its rotation and magnetic axes

• The decrease in its rotation speed