# Magnetar population and formation research

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/magnetar-population-and-formation-research
> Updated: 2026-09-30T13:53:38.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Research regarding magnetars—neutron stars with extreme magnetic fields—has highlighted their potential prevalence and formation processes. A study led by the Spanish Institute of Space Sciences suggests that magnetars may account for approximately 50% of the total neutron star population, challenging the previous assumption that they were rare objects.

Further observations of a record-breaking X-ray transient, designated EP250704a/GRB 250704B, provide potential evidence of magnetar formation. Detected by the Einstein Probe satellite, the event involved a half-second gamma-ray burst followed by a ten-minute X-ray flash. Researchers suggest this event may represent a magnetar being born from a neutron star collision, offering a new method for identifying the formation of rapidly spinning magnetars from stellar remnants.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Astronomers detect record X-ray flash potentially revealing magnetar birth

Astronomers have detected a record-breaking ten-minute X-ray flash that may signal the birth of a magnetar following a neutron star collision over six billion light-years away.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/astronomers-detect-record-x-ray-flash-potentially-revealing-magnetar-birth

### 2026-09-10: Magnetars may comprise half of all neutron stars

A study by ICE-CSIC suggests magnetars may comprise half of all neutron stars, potentially explaining high-energy cosmic events like fast radio bursts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/magnetars-may-comprise-half-of-all-neutron-stars

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Cite as: Magnetar population and formation research. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/magnetar-population-and-formation-research