Despite being in the constellation of Lacerta, U Lacertae is considered to be a member of the Cepheus OB1 association.[9] It has been listed as a member of the open cluster ASCC 123.[10]
U Lacertae is a binary star consisting of a red supergiant and a small hot companion, similar to VV Cephei. The companion has been identified from a high excitation component in the spectrum and from radial velocity variations, but the orbit is unknown.[11]
U Lacertae is a variable star classified as a semiregular variable.[3] The periodicity is uncertain but a main period of 150 days and a long secondary period of 550 – 690 days have been suggested.[13] A study of Hipparcos satellite photometry found an amplitude of 0.77 magnitudes and found no periodicity.[14] The General Catalogue of Variable Stars lists an amplitude of 2.7 magnitudes.[3]
Water masers have been detected around U Lacertae, common in the extended atmospheres of very luminous cool stars.[15]
^ abcDucati, J. R. (2002). "VizieR On-line Data Catalog: Catalogue of Stellar Photometry in Johnson's 11-color system". CDS/ADC Collection of Electronic Catalogues. 2237. Bibcode:2002yCat.2237....0D.
^ abStothers, R.; Leung, K. C. (1971). "Luminosities, masses and periodicities of massive red supergiants". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 10: 290. Bibcode:1971A&A....10..290S.
^Garmany, C. D.; Stencel, R. E. (1992). "Galactic OB associations in the northern Milky Way Galaxy. I - Longitudes 55 deg to 150 deg". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 94: 211. Bibcode:1992A&AS...94..211G.
^Burki, G.; Mayor, M. (1983). "Nineteen new spectroscopic binaries and the rate of binary stars among F-M supergiants". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 124: 256. Bibcode:1983A&A...124..256B.