astrosat-detection-of-millisecond-x-ray-bursts-reveals-neutron-star-behavior

AstroSat detection of millisecond X-ray bursts reveals neutron star behavior

 

AstroSat, India’s inaugural multi-wavelength space observatory has recently detected bright sub-second X-ray bursts from a distinct neutron star with ultra-high magnetic field(magetar),which can help understand the extreme astrophysical conditions of magnetars. 

 

The study, conducted by scientists from Raman Research Institute(RRI) and the University of Delhi, dives into the characteristics of SGR J1830-0645 using AstroSat’s instruments, comprising the Large Area X-ray proportional counter(LAXPC) and soft X-ray telescope(SXT).

 

Published in the monthly notices of the royal astronomical society, the research sheds light upon the detection of around 67 short-sub-second-X-ray bursts, with an average duration of 33 milliseconds.

 

Dr.Rahul Sharma, the author and post doctoral fellow at RRI, shared a key finding: “The energy-dependence in SGR J1830-0645 was different from what was observed in several other magnetars” 

 

Co-author Prof.Chetana Jain from Hansraj college, University of Delhi added that “We noticed the pulsed component of the overall X-ray emission showed significant variation with energy. It increased for energies up to about 5 kiloelectron Volt(keV) and showed a steep drop thereafter"

 

The study aims to unwind the unique characteristics of  contributing to our interpretation of magnetars and their extreme astrophysical conditions. Further, the research team seeks to decipher the origin of highly energetic emissions and determine whether they are astrophysical or instrumental in nature.