Magnetar-like X-ray Bursts from an Anomalous X-ray Pulsar

F. P. Gavriil; V. M. Kaspi; P. M. Woods

doi:10.1038/nature01011

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Magnetar-like X-ray Bursts from an Anomalous X-ray Pulsar

F. P. Gavriil·V. M. Kaspi·P. M. Woods

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Abstract

Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) are a class of rare X-ray pulsars whose energy source has been perplexing for some 20 years. Unlike other, better understood X-ray pulsars, AXPs cannot be powered by rotation or by accretion from a binary companion, hence the designation ``anomalous.'' AXP rotational and radiative properties are strikingly similar to those of another class of exotic objects, the Soft Gamma Repeaters (SGRs). However, the defining property of SGRs, namely their low-energy gamma-ray and X-ray bursts, have heretofore not been seen in AXPs. SGRs are thought to be ``magnetars,'' young neutron stars powered by the decay of an ultra-high magnetic field. The suggestion that AXPs are magnetars has been controversial. Here we report the discovery, from the direction of AXP 1E 1048-5937, of two X-ray bursts that have many properties similar to those of SGR bursts. These events imply a close relationship between AXPs and SGRs, with both being magnetars.

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F. P. Gavriil, V. M. Kaspi, P. M. Woods. 2002-09-11. Magnetar-like X-ray Bursts from an Anomalous X-ray Pulsar. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01011

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