Astronomical odd couple? Or alter egos?
Schilling, G.
Science 291(5501): 68-70
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 11192015 Document Number: 530590
Part of a special section on high-energy astrophysics. Attempts to establish an evolutionary link between soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) and anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) have so far failed because of frustrating differences between the enigmatic objects. The similarities between the 2 are undeniable: both object types are rare, both are found alone, both spin with periods of 5-12 seconds, and both are slowing done considerably. The main differences between them are that SGRs have a spectrum containing more high-energy radiation and, unlike AXPs, they erupt into bursts of explosive activity. Experts disagree on whether the objects are one kind of phenomenon or products of separate processes.