its apparent magnitude is 4.86, but this is slightly variable and the star is also called v1661 cyg. when first analysed, it was classified as an irregular supergiant variable, but subsequent studies have treated it as an alpha cygni variable. it shows pulsations with multiple periods from a few hours to 22 days, and both p- and g-modes. apart from p- and g-modes, strange mode and associated instabilities have also been found in models of this star. the spectrum also shows variation, leading to different classifications being given for the star.