More geeky news that pleases me! lol
Researchers find possible evidence of toroidal magnetic field surrounding magnetar...
Space researchers in Japan working at the Suzaku observatory have found possible evidence of the existence of a toroidal magnetic field surrounding the magnetar 4U 0142+61. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the research team describe their observation of inconsistent pulses coming from 4U 0142+61, suggesting the presence of an external magnetic field.
http://phys.org/news/2014-05-evidence-toroidal-magnetic-field-magnetar.html
For some time, space scientists have theorized that magnetars also have a second doughnut-shaped (torus) magnetic field surrounding their equator, perhaps even stronger than the one measured at their surface. In this new effort, the researchers appear to have found evidence for just such a magnetic field surrounding 4U 0142+61.
4U 0142+61 (artist concept)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/4U_0142%2B61_paint.jpg/800px-4U_0142%2B61_paint.jpg)
If this new theory by the team in Japan proves to be true, than the wobbling of 4U 0142+61 should be causing gravity waves to be generated, and if that is the case, than future gravity wave detectors should be able to prove that magnetars due indeed have extremely strong gravity fields hovering over their equators.
The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
Eden Phillpotts
Cosmo