Why Magnetars Should Freak you Out
A Science Article Analysis Based on the Article
Date of publication: August 14, 2015
Author: Paul Sutter
Analysis by: Jessica Vela
Author: Paul Sutter
Analysis by: Jessica Vela
The science article Why Magnetars Should Freak You Out talks about a subject that is still not widely known to the public, but can wrap your head around by just thinking about the immense power that one probably didn’t know existed. Have you ever heard of a magnetar?
Magnetars are formed under very specific conditions described by physics, they are a special kind of neutron star, which is a special kind of dead star that results from a supernova. The article talks about the formation of magnetars starting from stars. Stars fuse hydrogen to helium most of their lives in their core. Common stars like the star we revolve around will not really have a chance of becoming a magnetar, more massive stars are the ones that contain a more tragic ending. When the star's fuel begins to run out, gravity starts to crush the core even tighter, creating more pressure that starts to fuse helium into oxygen and carbon. Helium eventually burns out as well, if the star is massive enough, it will continue fusing other elements, ultimately going through all the periodic table. Lastly, there is nothing left to burn and nothing left to prevent it from collapsing. The star’s elemental atom’s nuclei break apart exploding in a supernova. The left electrons are shoved into protons which convert into neutrons. Under the right conditions, a supernova leaves a neutron ball-or neutron star with intense density due to the immense pressure from gravity. The physics determines the star’s complex interior. Continuing to develop, the neutron star spins up to a few hundred times per second, ending up with magnetic fields. The neutron star can continue to be squeezed down, increasing its density and magnetic field until finally a magnetar is made. Magnetars are theorized to have a magnetic field 1 trillion times more stronger than that of the earth. They contain the strongest magnetic fields on the universe which bursts out high-intensity radiation. All the power that they contain is at high extremities meaning they can destroy anything in its path.
|
The article was picked in order to get a better idea of what other objects there are in the universe. One learns that there are galaxies, stars, constellations, nebulas, planets similar to earth and other solar systems all in the place we call the universe, but what else? The place is so unimaginably huge, how is it even possible to image such enormity? The small little planet we live on is so tiny compared to other things outside the solar system, it can get a little uncomfortable to even think about it. This article related to magnetars, is one of the scientific discoveries that sometimes feel as if it is just a fantasy. Magnetars are objects of immense power that are able to destroy, so it brings a lot of thinking about what other deathly objects may still be undiscovered in the mass universe. Discoveries like these also made me more appreciated towards planet earth because it seems that the universe is mainly chaotic and dangerous as to the only safe place that sustains life we know so far.
|
|
Why Magnetars Should Freak You Out is an article containing importance to the world of today because people of this modern world should be aware of the outside world as much as they are aware of news happening within the planet. Everyone knows about the problems and discoveries on earth, but awareness of the universe should be that important as well. Even many people in this 21st century still have limited knowledge about the world beyond earth. The public should be knowledgeable about the existence of dangerous monsters with incredible power such as magnetars. Articles like these, which are not very common are also able to spark interest in many growing minds that will contribute to further research and development of the present human society. The knowledge of quasars is a first step for present and further generations who will continue to study them, filling in another empty subject of science, attempting to uncover more. Since the start of space exploration with the first man on the moon, space travel has been put in a pause that should be continued to discover more than what is already known. Magnetars, black holes extrasolar systems and neutron stars, there is yet so much more for space exploration to explore.
|
|
Work Cited
Sutter, Paul. “Why Magnetars Should Freak You Out | Space.Com.” Web. 4 Oct. 2015. <http://www.space.com/30263-paul-sutter-on-why-magnetars-are-scary.html>
*The sources for the pictures can be found by clicking on them, however, those sources were not part of the written text.
Sutter, Paul. “Why Magnetars Should Freak You Out | Space.Com.” Web. 4 Oct. 2015. <http://www.space.com/30263-paul-sutter-on-why-magnetars-are-scary.html>
*The sources for the pictures can be found by clicking on them, however, those sources were not part of the written text.