Astronomers Observe Magnetar Formation in Superluminous Supernova

Astronomers have, for the first time, directly observed the formation of a magnetar—a highly magnetized neutron star—within a superluminous supernova, providing definitive evidence of the connection between these phenomena. The supernova, designated SN 2024afav, was detected in December 2024 approximately a billion light-years from Earth. Observations revealed a series of brightness fluctuations, described as 'chirps,' which matched predictions from Einstein's theory of general relativity, specifically the Lense-Thirring effect. This effect occurs when a rapidly spinning object, such as a magnetar, drags the surrounding space-time, causing a precession in the accretion disk. The study, published in Nature on March 11, 2026, marks a significant advancement in understanding the mechanics of superluminous supernovae and the role of magnetars in these extraordinary cosmic events.