Magnetar. ?On December 27, 2004, astronomers observed the greatest flash of light ever recorded from outside the solar system. It came from the highly magnetic neutron star SGR 1806-20 (a ?magnetar?). During 0.20 s, this star released as much energy as our sun does in 250,000 years. If P is the average power output of our sun, what was the average power output (in terms of P) of this magnetar?
Solution 51 E Step 1: Data given Time of flash t = 0.20 s Energy released by sun P = P × 250,000 years S The average power is obtained as 250,000 years(86400s ×365 days ) Pavg = P 0.20 s P = P × 3.9 × 10 13 avg 13 Hence we get the average power output as P avg = 3.9 × 10 P