NASA and ASI’s space observatory captures polarised X-rays from a #NeutronStar for the first time.
The Cosmic #Target: Meet 1E 1841–045
A magnetar, (a rare, ultra-magnetic neutron star) located 28,000 light-years away in the Kes 73 supernova remnant.
💥 Reactivated in August 2024.
💥 Capable of releasing energy 1000x stronger than usual during outbursts.
The #Breakthrough
IXPE measured increasing X-ray polarisation with energy revealing that emission components are tightly connected and shaped by intense magnetic fields. The results were published in the “Astrophysical Journal Letters”.
Why does it matter?
Extreme science, explained Magnetars, help us understand conditions we cannot reproduce on Earth.
IXPE sheds light on:
✅ Emission geometry
✅ Magnetosphere structure
✅ Plasma behaviour under extreme magnetism.
The Italian contribution
#ASI led the Italian participation, with scientific support from INAF and INFN.
OHB Italia S.p.A. developed key subsystems, including:
🔧 Detector Unit Electronics (BEE)
🔧 Filter and Calibration Wheel
🔧 Detector Service Unit (DSU)
What’s next?
The story isn’t over. As the magnetar returns to its quiescent state, new observations will allow scientists to track how its polarimetric properties evolve, opening a new chapter in our understanding of the high-energy universe.
#IXPE #NASA #ASI #OHBItalia #INAF #Astrophysics #Magnetars #XRayPolarimetry #NeutronStars #SpaceExploration
#ScientificDiscovery
Picture: image generated with AI
www.ohb-italia.it
