Solar physics of magnetars

Two closely related types of neutron stars -- Anomalous X-ray Pulsars and Soft Gamma Ray Repeaters, commonly called magnetars -- posses magnetic field exceeding quantum critical fields. Dissipation of these fields powers persistent and bursting emission and produces occasionally giant flares. Using analogies with the Sun, I will describe magnetospheric structure of magnetars, the way magnetic dissipation can proceed in the relativistically strong regime and how giant flares, analogues of coronal mass ejections, may develop. Finally, I will discuss how the observed non-thermal spectra can be formed through resonant cyclotron scattering of surfaces radiation.