PhD student’s first research paper published on leading astronomical website

A Southampton PhD student has just had her first research paper published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Helen Klus, a second year PhD student in Astrophysics, wrote the paper about her discovery of a rare space object that could have one of the highest magnetic fields in the Universe.

Her paper describes how she investigated the magnetic field of the neutron star Swift J045106.8-694803 after it had been shown to be continually emitting X-rays for the last five years.

Swift J045106.8-694803 is part of a binary system and X-rays are emitted when its magnetic field pulls matter away from its companion. Matter falls onto the neutron star like water falling down a drain and this circular motion transfers to the neutron star, usually causing it to spin faster. This means that the magnetic field could be calculated by looking at how many X-rays were produced and whether the star is speeding up.

Her research revealed that the star had millions of billions of times the magnetic field strength of Earth and was a hundred times more magnetic than the average neutron star.

“I am very pleased to have my first research paper published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. It is a real honour,” said Helen.

Her supervisor Professor Malcolm Coe said: “This is great recognition for Helen’s work on her PhD and I am sure she will continue to excel in her research.”

Helen is in the second year of her PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Southampton. She publishes a regular blog called The Star Garden. This contains articles on the history and philosophy of science as well as current breakthroughs and her own research.

To read Helen’s blog go to www.thestargarden.co.uk. To read her full paper for free go to http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.7680