Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in magnetars: linking variability and   emission
  I present recent results studying flare emission in magnetars. Strong quasi-periodic oscillations observed in the tail of giant magnetar flares are frequently interpreted as evidence for global seismic oscillations. I demonstrate that such a global oscillation is not directly observable in the lightcurve. New work suggests the amplitude for the strongest QPO stays nearly constant in the rotation phases where it is observed, which I argue suggests it is produced by an additional emission process from the star. 
Caroline D'Angelo
astro-ph.SR astro-ph.HE