Magnetospheres of Magnetars
Andrei Beloborodov (Columbia) - May 16 at 12:00 noon
Magnetars are the most fascinating class of neutron stars.
Their ultrastrong magnetic field evolves and breaks the solid
crust of the star, producing huge outbursts of X-rays -- the
brightest astrophysical transients in the sky. In the past year,
the INTEGRAL observatory discovered that the magnetars are also
persistent sources of hard X-rays, which are produced by an active
plasma corona of the neutron star. The origin of this corona and
the mechanism of its emission present a major theoretical challenge.
It is likely that electric currents are induced in the evolving and
twisting magnetosphere, resembling dynamics of the solar corona.
However, the magnetar corona is qualitatively different because the
magnetic field and currents are much stronger. Investigation of this
novel theoretical problem, in combination with available X-ray data,
provides a unique opportunity to learn the extreme physics of magnetars.
The seminar will be held in 544 Campbell Hall.
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