Fast Facts for Kids
Magnetar Facts for Kids

Magnetar Facts for Kids

  • Common Name: Magnetar
  • Description: A Type of Neutron Star With a Powerful Magnetic Field
  • Formation: Core Collapse of a Massive Supergiant Star
  • First Discovered: March 5th, 1979
  • Discovered By: Soviet Space Probes Venera 11 and 12
  • First Magnetar Discovered: SGR 0525−66
  • Total Discovered Magnetars: 24 (July, 2021)

16 Magnetar Facts For Kids

  1. A neutron star with an intensely power magnetic field is called a magnetar.
  2. Magnetars are the strongest known magnetic objects in the Universe.
  3. The magnetic field of a magnetar is around a trillion times more power than the magnetic field of Earth.
  4. The magnetic field of a magnetar is lethal to lifeforms more than 600 miles away.
  5. The magnetic field of a magnetar only lasts about 10,000 years before it decays, and it becomes inactive.
  6. It is estimated there are around 30 million inactive magnetars in the Milky Way galaxy alone.
  7. A magnetar is one of the sources of gamma ray bursts (GRBs) in our Universe.
  8. A magnetar creates a GRB when there is a starquake on its surface.
  9. Estimates claim one in ten supernova explosions will created a magnetar.
  10. The average complete rotation period of a magnetar is between two and ten seconds.
  11. The average diameter of a magnetar is 12 miles.
  12. The average solar mass of a magnetar is 1.4 solar masses.
  13. The density of a magnetar is incredible, a tablespoon of matter from a magnetar would weigh 100 million tons.
  14. Astronomers have discovered and confirmed 24 magnetars as of July 2021.
  15. The first magnetar discovered was SGR 0525-66 in 1979 by two Soviet spacecraft exploring Venus (Venera 11 and 12).
  16. The closest magnetar to Earth is AXP 1E 1048.1-5937 at 9,000 light-years from our planet.

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Magnetar Pictures

Pictures are one of the best ways for people to learning about something. That is why we are providing you with the below images to help you with your research on magnetars. Below you will find three pictures that represent magnetars. These pictures should help you better understand magnetars and what they look like.

Magnetar In A Solar System

A picture of a magnetar in a solar system.

Magnetar Star In Deep Space

A picture of a magnetar star in deep space.

Close Up Of A Magnetar

A picture close up of a magnetar.

Magnetar Resources

Hopefully the above magnetar facts, data, stats, and pictures were helpful with your research. If you need to continue researching magnetars you can use one of the below websites. We selected the below websites for their credibility and accurate data on magnetars.