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X Ray Polarimetry

All articles tagged with #x ray polarimetry

science1 day ago•3 min saved

Magnetar Polarization Sheds Light on Quantum Vacuum

Astronomers report what may be the first evidence of vacuum birefringence, a quantum effect predicted by Heisenberg, by observing highly polarized X-rays and radio waves from magnetar 1E 1547.0-5408 with IXPE, NICER, and Parkes. The extreme magnetic field around the magnetar aligns virtual particles, causing polarization to correlate with the star’s magnetic axis and offering a natural laboratory to test quantum physics—though further data and simulations are needed to confirm the finding.

via Universe Today|

#heisenberg #magnetar #polarization

astronomy3 years ago•6 min saved

"NASA's IXPE Mission Unveils Astonishing Mega Jet Emanating from Black Hole"

NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has made surprising discoveries about the blazar Markarian 421, located 400 million light-years away. IXPE's unique X-ray polarimetry measurements have revealed evidence of a helical structure in the magnetic field where particles are accelerated. The polarization angle of the X-ray emissions from Markarian 421 was found to rotate, indicating the presence of a shockwave propagating along the spiraling magnetic fields inside the blazar's jet. These findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics and emissions of blazar jets and highlight the importance of X-ray polarimetry in studying these cosmic phenomena.

via SciTechDaily|

#astronomy #blazar #ixpe