"Mysterious Behavior of Revived Magnetar Baffles Astronomers"
Astronomers using the Parkes radio telescope in Australia have detected unusual radio signals from Earth’s closest magnetar, XTE J1810-197, which is behaving in unprecedented ways by emitting rapidly changing circular polarization. The signals, first detected in 2003 and then again in 2018, suggest complex interactions at the star's surface, challenging previous theoretical explanations. The cause of these unusual signals remains a mystery, but researchers believe they may be linked to superheated plasma above the magnetar's magnetic pole. Further studies are needed to unravel the complexities of these radio waves, which could provide insights into various extreme phenomena in the universe.