Unmasking Magnetars: NASA study links fast radio bursts to glitches in distant neutron star.

 NASA scientists have discovered that the fast radio bursts that were observed previously originated from a magnetar. A magnetar is a type of neutron star that has an incredibly powerful magnetic field. 

The scientists believe that when a crack occurs in the magnetar, it releases material from the interior of the star into space, similar to a volcanic eruption. Losing mass causes spinning objects to slow down, so this could explain the rapid deceleration observed in the magnetar's rotation.

However, only one such event has been observed in real-time so far. Therefore, it cannot be said definitively which factors, including the magnetar's magnetic field, might lead to the production of a fast radio burst. Some observed changes may not even be connected to the burst. 

More data is still needed to fully understand the mystery. George Younes from Goddard Space Flight Center, who is part of the research team, said "We've observed something important but I think we need a lot more data." Studying more such events will help reveal the physics behind these powerful cosmic flashes.