Sometimes, the cosmos throws up tales stranger than fiction. One such tale is that of SGR 0501+4516 — a dead star racing across the Milky Way. Astronomers have tracked this bizarre “zombie star” moving at more than 110,000 mph, far faster than they expected.
This rare stellar remnant is known as a magnetar. It's a type of neutron star, which is formed when a large star dies and collapses into a small, ultra-dense core. Despite being no larger than a city, neutron stars can weigh as much as our Sun.
Strange magnetism and deadly effects
SGR 0501+4516 is one of only 30 magnetars found in our galaxy. It has an extreme magnetic field — around 100 trillion times stronger than Earth's.
NASA warns that if it passed as close as half the Moon’s distance from Earth, it would wipe out every credit card on the planet.
If a human approached within 600 miles, they’d be torn apart, atom by atom. Scientists have labelled it a real-life sci-fi “death ray.”
Thankfully, the magnetar is safely 15,000 light-years away and shows no signs of heading towards us.
Puzzle over its cosmic origin
Astronomers first discovered the object in 2008. It was found near a supernova remnant named HB9, which led researchers to believe the two were linked.
However, recent data from the Hubble Space Telescope and ESA’s Gaia spacecraft tells a different story. The magnetar is moving too fast and in the wrong direction to have come from HB9.
No nearby supernova remnants or star clusters match its path. This suggests the magnetar may have formed in a very different way.
Born without a blast?
Scientists now believe the object may have formed without exploding. Instead, it may have been born from the direct collapse of a white dwarf — a burnt-out core of an old star.
Under certain conditions, this collapse can happen without the usual supernova explosion, leaving behind a neutron star. This may be the story behind SGR 0501+4516.
"This could explain its high speed and strange path," said Andrew Levan, co-author and astronomer at Radboud University and University of Warwick.
If confirmed, this formation method may also help explain mysterious fast radio bursts — powerful flashes from deep space that seem to lack explosions.
The mystery continues
"Understanding how magnetars form is crucial in astrophysics," said Nanda Rea from the Institute of Space Sciences, Spain.
It could also change how scientists view the universe’s most powerful energy bursts. For now, this stellar cannonball remains a cosmic mystery, hurtling silently across the galaxy.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
