Scientists make first direct magnetic field measurement of pulsar PSR J1101−6101

Scientists using NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer have directly measured the magnetic fields of pulsar PSR J1101−6101 for the first time, NASA said on July 9, 2026.

The pulsar sits inside the Lighthouse Nebula. NASA said the measurements were carried out by the IXPE telescope, which observes X-ray polarization to probe the physics of extreme objects.

The findings offer new understanding of the structure of extreme cosmic objects, according to NASA.