The atmosphere also has a detectable amount of magnesium, neon (under 4%) and silicon, but no hydrogen, helium or carbon.
A possible explanation for the unusual composition would be if its mass were close to the limit for collapsing to a neutron star.
[6][7] Gustavo Ourique, an undergraduate in Physics at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, identified the star's unique spectrum, working under the advice of Dr. Kepler Oliveira (S.O.
Some researchers indicate this may be due to a supernova that has not been observed yet, and which would cause this star to move at high velocities.
Astronomers note that some supernovas are difficult to detect, especially if they do not contain the element nickel, which is a key indicator for such events.