The strongest cosmic magnets: soft gamma-ray repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars
Abstract:
Two classes of X-ray pulsars, the anomalous X-ray pulsars and the soft gamma-ray repeaters, have been recognized in the last decade as the most promising candidates for being magnetars: isolated neutron stars powered by magnetic energy. I review the observational properties of these objects, focussing on the most recent results, and their interpretation in the magnetar model. Alternative explanations, in particular those based on accretion from residual disks, are also considered. The possible relations between these sources and other classes of neutron stars and astrophysical objects are also discussed.read more
Citations
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On the Extended Emission Around the Anomalous X-ray Pulsar 1E 1547.0-5408
S. A. Olausen,V. M. Kaspi,Chi-Yung Ng,Weiwei Zhu,Rim Dib,Fotis P. Gavriil,Fotis P. Gavriil,P. M. Woods +7 more
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis of the extended emission around the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 1547.0-5408 using four XMM-Newton observations taken with the source in varying states of outburst as well as in quiescence is presented.
Journal ArticleDOI
Magnetars: The explosive character of a small class of strongly magnetized neutron stars
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the current knowledge on the most magnetic objects in the Universe, a small sample of neutron stars called magnetars, and the powerful persistent high energy emission and the flares from these strongly magnetized (1015 Gauss) neutron stars are providing crucial information about the physics involved at these extremes conditions.
Bayesian Probability Theory in Astronomy: Timing Analysis of the Giant Flare of SGR 1806-20
TL;DR: In this article, the basics of a Bayesian statistical approach for detection and parameter estimation of periodic, variable and quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) signal overviewed.
Journal ArticleDOI
Understanding the low magnetic field magnetar, SGR 0418+5279, from a magnetized core model
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the newly found low magnetic field magnetar SGR 0418+5279, which exhibits flares, in the context of a model recently proposed by us in which magnetars owe their strong magnetic fields to a high baryon density, magnetized core.
Mapping the Surface of the Magnetar 1E 1048.1-5937 in Outburst and Quiescence Through Phase Resolved X-ray Spectroscopy
TL;DR: In this article, the authors model the pulse profiles and phase resolved spectra of the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 1048.1-5937 obtained with XMM-Newton to map its surface temperature distribution during an active and a quiescent epoch.
References
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