Indicated on thi infrared image of the galactic center regionare positions of candidate magnetars - believed to bethe strongest magnets in the galaxy.Classified by observers as Soft Gamma Repeaters SGRs) and Anomalous X-ray Pulsars AXPs), these cosmic powerhouses are likel city-sized,spinning, highly-magnetized neutron stars.How strong is a magnetar's magnetic field The Earth's magnetic fieldwhich deflect compass needles is measuredto be about 1 Gauss, whilethe strongest fields sustainable in earthbound laboratories areabout 100,000 Gauss.A magnetar' monster magnetic fieldis estimated to be as high as 1,000,000,000,000,000 Gauss A magnet this strong, located at abouthalf the distance to the Moonwould easily erase your credit cards and suck pens out of your pocket.In 1998, from a distance of about 20,000 light-years, one magnetar SGR 1900+14 generate a powerful flash of gamma-rays detectedby many spacecraft That blast of high-energy radiation is now known to havehad a measurable effect on Earth's ionosphere At the surface of the magnetar,its powerful magnetic field is thought to buckle and shift the neutronstar crust generating the intense high-energy flares.
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