Diagnosing magnetars with transient cooling

Yuri Lyubarsky, David Eichler, Christopher Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transient X-ray emission, with an approximate t-0.7 decay, was observed from SGR 1900+14 over 40 days following the giant flare of 1998 August 27. We calculate in detail the diffusion of heat to the surface of a neutron star through an intense 1014-1015 G magnetic field, following the release of magnetic energy in its outer layers. We show that the power-law index, the fraction of burst energy in the afterglow, and the return to persistent emission can all be understood if the star is composed of normal baryonic material.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L69-L72
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume580
Issue number1 II
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Nov 2002

Keywords

  • Magnetic fields
  • Stars: neutron
  • X-rays: general

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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