Physics Colloquium with Andrei M. Beloborodov on Magnetars

Surprising phenomena occur in neutron stars with ultrastrong magnetic fields, so-called magnetars. They often have a high surface temperature and generate tremendous activity -- sudden X-ray and radio bursts of extreme luminosities. This talk will discuss the origin of ultralstrong magnetic fields, their evolution and the mechanism of observed bursts. Similar phenomena can accompany neutron star mergers and power electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves.

This lecture was made possible by the William C. Ferguson Fund.