The Enigma of GLEAM-X~J162759.5-523504.3

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the long-period radio transient GLEAM-X~J162759.5-523504.3 is a magnetar with an extremely strong magnetic field, explaining its luminosity through magnetic energy dissipation.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that GLEAM-X~J162759.5-523504.3 is a magnetar with a magnetic field of 2.5×10^{16} G, and demonstrates how such a field can be anchored and dissipated.

Findings

The source is consistent with a magnetar having an ultra-strong magnetic field.

Magnetic energy dissipation accounts for its observed luminosity.

Strong magnetic fields can be anchored at the core-crust boundary of neutron stars.

Abstract

It is proposed that GLEAM-X~J162759.5-523504.3, the newly discovered radio transient with an unusually long spin-period (P$_s$ = 1091.1690s), can be identified to be a Radio Magnetar which has a dipolar surface magnetic field of $2.5 \times 10^{16}$~G. It is shown that - a) it is possible to anchor such a strong field at the core-crust boundary of a neutron star, and b) the energy of field dissipation can explain the observed luminosity (radio & X-ray) of this source.