Did a neutron star merger create a magnetar that powered an unusual long gamma-ray burst?

A neutron star merger typically produces a brief gamma-ray burst, yet GRB 211211A's unusually long duration defied expectations. New analysis shows a rapidly spinning, ultra-magnetic neutron star (magnetar) can power the extended emission by converting its rotational energy through variable accretion. The model successfully reproduces both the main burst and fainter precursor signals, suggesting some mergers leave behind long-lived magnetars rather than collapsing immediately to black holes.