Magnetars are ultra-dense stellar remnants with extremely strong magnetic fields. Researchers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have discovered that the magnetar SGR 0501+4516 was not born in a neighbouring supernova as previously thought. The birthplace of this object is now unknown, and SGR 0501+4516 is the likeliest candidate in our galaxy for a magnetar that was not born in a supernova. This discovery was made possible by Hubble’s sensitive instruments as well as precise benchmarks from ESA’s Gaia spacecraft.
The release, images and videos are available on:
https://climb-stage.live/news/heic2504/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Kind regards,
ESA/Hubble Information Centre
15 April 2025
