NASA Unveils Deadly Magnetar: Human Contact Could Lead to Instant Vaporization | WPN World People News

NASA recently announced a stunning astronomical observation: a magnetar designated SGR 0501+4516 is hurtling through the Milky Way at an astonishing speed of approximately 177,000 kilometers per hour, moving in the direction of Earth. Although this celestial object is still about 15,000 light-years away from our planet, scientists emphasize that if it were to approach within several hundred kilometers of Earth, it could cause instantaneous human extinction. For this reason, it has earned the nickname “zombie star.”

A magnetar is an extremely dense celestial body, formed from the remnants of a collapsed star—specifically, a type of neutron star. Despite being only about 20 kilometers in diameter, a magnetar can have more mass than the Sun and possesses a magnetic field trillions of times stronger than Earth’s. According to NASA, if such a magnetic field were to come within a few hundred kilometers of Earth, it could rip atoms in the human body apart, instantly disintegrating them into plasma, akin to being consumed by high-energy radiation.

SGR 0501+4516 was first detected in 2008 and has attracted widespread attention ever since. Unlike other known magnetars, its trajectory does not match any known supernova remnants. Astronomers speculate that it may have originated from a rare phenomenon known as “white dwarf collapse,” in which a white dwarf collapses directly under certain conditions without undergoing a supernova explosion.

NASA researchers describe this object as having “superhero-level” energy. If it were to pass at a distance half that of the Moon from Earth, its intense magnetic field could disrupt electronic systems and even cripple global communication networks. In 2004, a magnetar located 50,000 light-years from Earth released a starquake that briefly disturbed Earth’s atmosphere and satellite operations, demonstrating the incredible power of these objects.

Furthermore, recent observations show that SGR 0501+4516 exhibits unusual velocity and direction, possibly linked to a rare origin such as a neutron star merger or an accretion-induced collapse. This mechanism is not only uncommon but may also be related to extreme astronomical phenomena like fast radio bursts (FRBs), potentially offering crucial insights into the causes of cosmic cataclysms.

Nanda Rea, a space scientist from Barcelona, Spain, notes that the formation and evolution of magnetars remain shrouded in mystery, making them one of the most challenging subjects in high-energy astrophysics. The research team will continue to monitor this “zombie star” using the Hubble Space Telescope and other instruments in hopes of uncovering the secrets behind its origin and extraordinary journey across the galaxy.