July 20, 2012

Artistic concept of the neutron star Swift J1822.3-1606 with its magnetic field (Image ESA–C. Carreau)

Swift J1822.3-1606 is a peculiar neutron star because it features the typical X-ray emission of a magnetar but its magnetic field appears to be that of a pulsar. In recent months it’s been studied with space telescopes NASA’s RXTE (Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer) and Chandra X-ray Observatory, ESA’s XMM-Newton and Japanese Suzaku but also with ground-based telescopes Gran Canarias Telescope and Green Bank Telescope.