Scientists at the University of Manchester and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy have announced that one of the so-called magnetars – unusual neutron stars that possess powerful magnetic fields and emit bursts of gamma and X-ray radiation — has once again shown signs of activity after being "inactive" since 2008, Science Alert reports.
The research team has been observing the fresh batch of radio emissions originating from XTE J1810–197 since December 8, noting a significant difference in the star’s activity as compared to its "pre-slumber" behaviour.
"The pulse variations seen so far from the source have been significantly less dramatic, on timescales ranging from hours to months, than those seen in 2006", scientists said.
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As the media outlet points out, another team of astronomers also employed NASA’s Deep Space Network to observe XTE J1810–197 and "two of its radio magnetar cousins", noting the "odd variations" in the radio waves emitted by the star.