Cosmic Transformations: From Wolf-Rayet Star to Magnetar, and the Mystery of Spiral Arms Unveiled

New research suggests that a hot, helium-rich Wolf-Rayet star, HD 45166, with a powerful magnetic field of 43,000 gauss, could potentially evolve into a magnetar during a supernova explosion. Magnetars are neutron stars characterized by extremely strong magnetic fields, and their origins have remained unclear. By studying the Wolf-Rayet star and using stellar evolution models, researchers have determined that the star's collapse into a neutron star would amplify its magnetic field, placing it within the range observed for magnetars. This discovery provides valuable insights into the formation process of these highly magnetic entities in the universe.