The existence of magnetars was proposed in 1992 by Robert Duncan and Christopher Thompson. Their proposal sought to explain the properties of transient sources of gamma rays, now known as soft gamma repeaters (SGRs). Over the following decade, the magnetar hypothesis became widely accepted, and was extended to explain anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs). , 24 magnetars have been confirmed.
the existence of magnetars was proposed in 1992 by robert duncan and christopher thompson their proposal sought to explain the properties of transient sources of gamma rays now known as soft gamma repeaters (sgrs) over the following decade the magnetar hypothesis became widely accepted and was extended to explain anomalous x-ray pulsars (axps)  24 magnetars have been confirmed