The brightness varies slowly and unpredictably over a 1-2 magnitude visual range and can remain approximately constant for many years. These variations, combined with the high luminosity and temperature of the star, caused it to be grouped with the Hubble-Sandage variables even before the term "Luminous blue variable" was more than a simple description.[7] Despite widespread agreement that it is an LBV, it has yet to be observed in outburst, although the temperature has been observed to change in tandem with the brightness variations.[2]
Temperature estimates for the star range from around 18,000K to well over 30,000K. The hotter temperatures found from fitting the spectral energy distribution (SED) are consistent with the calculated luminosity of an LBV in the quiescent stage, but the spectrum is that of a cooler star.[5]
^ abCutri, Roc M.; Skrutskie, Michael F.; Van Dyk, Schuyler D.; Beichman, Charles A.; Carpenter, John M.; Chester, Thomas; Cambresy, Laurent; Evans, Tracey E.; Fowler, John W.; Gizis, John E.; Howard, Elizabeth V.; Huchra, John P.; Jarrett, Thomas H.; Kopan, Eugene L.; Kirkpatrick, J. Davy; Light, Robert M.; Marsh, Kenneth A.; McCallon, Howard L.; Schneider, Stephen E.; Stiening, Rae; Sykes, Matthew J.; Weinberg, Martin D.; Wheaton, William A.; Wheelock, Sherry L.; Zacarias, N. (2003). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: 2MASS All-Sky Catalog of Point Sources (Cutri+ 2003)". CDS/ADC Collection of Electronic Catalogues. 2246: II/246. Bibcode:2003yCat.2246....0C.
^Burggraf, B.; Weis, K.; Bomans, D. J. (2006). "LBVs in M33: Their Environments and Ages". Stellar Evolution at Low Metallicity: Mass Loss. 353: 245. Bibcode:2006ASPC..353..245B.
^ abVan Den Bergh, S.; Herbst, E.; Kowal, C. T. (1975). "A survey of bright variable stars in M33". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 29: 303. Bibcode:1975ApJS...29..303V. doi:10.1086/190344.
Van Den Bergh, S; Herbst, E; Kowal, C. T (1975). "A survey of bright variable stars in M33". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 29: 303. Bibcode:1975ApJS...29..303V. doi:10.1086/190344.