Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a unique stellar object, an ultra-long period magnetar, challenging current understanding of neutron star physics. The object, discovered in 2022, has been emitting radio waves for decades, sparking interest and opening new research avenues in the study of neutron stars and the universe.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Very Large Array (VLA) Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) telescope has played a crucial role in confirming the findings. The object, named GPM J1839-10, is believed to be an ultra-long period magnetar, a rare type of star with extremely strong magnetic fields that can produce powerful bursts of energy.

VLITE, developed in collaboration with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), collects over 6000 hours of data per year, allowing researchers to detect transient blips and bursts of radio waves from cosmic sources. By studying these phenomena, astronomers hope to gain a better understanding of the Universe.

The discovery of GPM J1839-10 set off an intense worldwide effort to understand its properties. NRL astronomers reprocessed stored VLITE data and traced the emission from the source back more than three decades, to 1988. The object emits a five-minute pulse of radio wavelength emission every 22 minutes, a behavior that puzzles scientists.

Astronomers believe that GPM J1839-10 is a rare form of neutron star with extremely powerful magnetic fields. The discovery raises questions about current theories of magnetars and offers new opportunities for future research.

The VLITE telescope, with its cutting-edge research and instrumentation, continues to contribute to scientific understanding while fulfilling the mission of the Navy and the Department of Defense.

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