Astronomers witness the birth of a magnetar for the first time

According to ScienceDaily, astronomers have witnessed the birth of a magnetar for the first time. A strange chirping signal from a distant supernova revealed the newborn object — an incredibly magnetic neutron star — and confirmed that magnetars can power the universe's brightest stellar explosions. The discovery also marks the first time Einstein's general relativity has been used to explain the mechanics of a supernova.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton