Its chemical properties were similar to those of other heavy metals, but it was noted for its stability, as its existence was theoretically impossible. Superstitious Coruscanti assumed it was created by the Celestials, but a Republic laboratory studied the material in 22 BBY and found that its protons and neutrons were significantly closer to each other and compressed, which led them to believe that it was formed in hypernovae. This theory was strengthened by the fact that advanced sensors could detect a normally invisible circle producing weak radiation around most planets where antium occurred. These were later proven to be old hypernova remnants.