IRAS 07598+6508 is categorized an advanced galaxy merger. It shows several tidal features according to ground-based optical images.[2] A patchy emission is found having a low-surface brightness of around 22 R magnitude arcsec−2 ,based on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging on the host galaxy. This emission is suggestive of tidal debris created by a recent galaxy-to-galaxy interaction.[3] A deep R-band image reveals the presence of an extended tidal tail from north to east direction. It has a dynamical age of ~ 160 Myr and is curving towards south of the nucleus by ~ 50 kiloparsecs (kpc). Since one tidal tail is clearly seen, the merger was probably caused from the interaction of a spiral and elliptical galaxy.[4]
In addition, IRAS 07598+6508 has several star clusters located both west and south, based on a HST optical image.[5] The galaxy is infrared bright with a source having an estimated luminosity of L2-10keV = 1.12 x 1042 erg s−1.[6]
IRAS 07598+6508 is a low-redshift broad absorption line quasar according to Sebastian Lipari[7] and by ROSAT.[8] It shows abnormally large blueshifts by 3000 km s−1 to a Balmer line as well as sodium (Na I) λ5892 at emission peaks. When looking at both Hα and Hβ intensity ratios, a broad emission line in IRAS 07598+6508 is found reddening by E(B-V) ~ 0.45 with a reddening of a spectral energy distribution of E(B-V) ~ 0.12.[9]
IRAS 07598+6508 is also known to be a strong ferrous (Fe II) emitter although X-ray quiet with a value of αox = 2.45.[10] It has a spectrum being influenced by its tapered broad line region with a full width at half maximum measurement of 1780 km s−1. Besides iron, IRAS 07598+6508 emits spectral lines of titanium (Ti II) and chromium (Cr II).[11] Given its strong Fe II emission, the emission likely derived from a superbubble or was caused by ejected material from a type II supernovae.[7]
Optical HST imaging found two emission clumps, located ~ 7" southeast and south from IRAS 07598+6508. This presence of clumps indicates the emission originates from OB associations and is the key to signs of recent star formation in the galaxy.[12] A NICMOS image of IRAS 07598+6508, finds electromagnetic radiation is controlled by a source of light from the nucleus although low-level emission is also visible right up to ~ 2" radius.[5]