Rare magnetic star discovered that may unlock mysteries of magnetar formation

A highly magnetic helium star called HD 45166 has been discovered, representing the first known magnetic massive helium star.
HD 45166 has the strongest magnetic field ever detected in a massive star that could become a neutron star.
The star consists of two massive stars revolving around each other and has peculiar characteristics like variable spectrum.
HD 45166's eventual explosion into a supernova in a few million years may provide insights into how magnetars form.
Magnetars are compact stellar objects with intense magnetic fields, and this discovery could help explain their mysterious origins.