This artist's concept shows a magnetar--a neutron star with a super-strong magnetic field, represented by the lines in this illustration. A magnetar designated SGR 1806-20 generated a gamma-ray flare that released enough energy to disrupt the Earth's ionosphere from 50,000 light-years away. Credit: Robert S. Mallozzi (UAH/NASA MSFC)
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Artist's conception of the December 27, 2004 gamma ray flare expanding from SGR 1806-20 and impacting Earth's atmosphere. Credit: NASA
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An artist conception of the SGR 1806-20 magnetar including magnetic fields. After the initial flash, smaller pulsations in the data suggest hot spots on the rotating magnetar's surface. The data also shows no change in the magnetar's rotation after the initial flash. Credit: NASA
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