Magnetars may comprise half of all neutron stars

A study led by the Spanish Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC) suggests that magnetars—neutron stars with extremely strong magnetic fields—could account for approximately 50% of the total neutron star population. This finding, published in Nature Astronomy, challenges previous assumptions that these objects were relatively rare.

Researchers utilized a population synthesis technique to simulate the evolution of isolated neutron stars in the Milky Way, accounting for galactic dynamics, rotational evolution, and magnetothermal changes. By analyzing supernova rates and observed neutron star populations, the team concluded that magnetars are significantly more common than previously estimated.

If these findings are correct, the high abundance of magnetars could explain several of the universe’s most energetic transient events, including fast radio bursts, gamma-ray bursts, and superluminous supernovae.