2006/08/23 by Anna L. Watts, Tod E. Strohmayer · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Flare #Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae #High-pressure geophysics and materials #Magnetar #Neutron star #Physics #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s10509-007-9296-z
published as Astrophys.SpaceSci.308:625-629,2007 · 5 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the proceedings of the conference "Isolated Neutron Stars: from the Interior to the Surface" (April 2006, London), eds. D. Page, R. Turolla, & S. Zane, Astrophysics & Space Science in press
arxiv created 2006/08/23 · openalex publication_date 2007/03/15 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The recent discovery of high frequency oscillations during giant flares from the Soft Gamma Repeaters SGR 1806-20 and SGR 1900+14 may be the first direct detection of vibrations in a neutron star crust. If this interpretation is correct it offers a novel means of testing the neutron star equation of state, crustal breaking strain, and magnetic field configuration. We review the observational data on the magnetar oscillations, including new timing analysis of the SGR 1806-20 giant flare using data from the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). We discuss the implications for the study of neutron star structure and crust thickness, and outline areas for future investigation.