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Very fast optical flaring from a possible new Galactic magnetar

Author

Listed:
  • A. Stefanescu

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, PO Box 1312, 85741 Garching, Germany)

  • G. Kanbach

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, PO Box 1312, 85741 Garching, Germany)

  • A. Słowikowska

    (IESL, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, PO Box 1385, GR-711 10 Heraklion, Greece
    Copernicus Astronomical Center, Rabiańska 8, 87-100 Toruń, Poland)

  • J. Greiner

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, PO Box 1312, 85741 Garching, Germany)

  • S. McBreen

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, PO Box 1312, 85741 Garching, Germany)

  • G. Sala

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, PO Box 1312, 85741 Garching, Germany)

Abstract

SWIFT J195509.6+261406 Two groups report the observation of optical flares from SWIFT J195509.6+261406, an intriguing X-ray source located in our Galaxy and initially discovered as a γ-ray burst by the orbiting Swift observatory. Stefanescu et al. detected extremely bright and rapid optical flaring, producing optical light-curves similar to the high energy light-curves of soft γ-ray repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars, which are thought to be neutron stars with extremely high magnetic fields (magnetars). In a multiwavelength study Castro-Tirado et al. detected more than 40 flaring episodes at optical wavelengths over a time span of three days. They suggest that SWIFT J195509+261406 could be an isolated magnetar whose bursting activity has been detected at optical wavelengths.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Stefanescu & G. Kanbach & A. Słowikowska & J. Greiner & S. McBreen & G. Sala, 2008. "Very fast optical flaring from a possible new Galactic magnetar," Nature, Nature, vol. 455(7212), pages 503-505, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:455:y:2008:i:7212:d:10.1038_nature07308
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07308
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