This is a wide eclipsing binary system with an orbital period of 5,329.8days (14.6years).[12] This eclipse was first observed in 1990 and lasted for two weeks.[13] During an eclipse, the primary passes in front of the secondary, causing the magnitude of the system to decrease by 0.55.[14] The primary component of this system is a giant star with a stellar classification of G9III.[15] It has a projected rotational velocity of 50.0km s−1 and a lengthy estimated rotation period of 14.6 years.[7] The classification of the secondary remains tentative, with assignments of A3V[8] and A2(III).[15]
Mass estimates for the two stars remain disparate. Using speckle interferometry, McAlister (1982) obtained mass estimates of 4.73M☉ for the primary and 2.75M☉ for the secondary, where M☉ is the mass of the Sun. He noted that the mass estimate was too high for the given classification of the primary.[16] Martin and Mignard (1998) determined masses for both components based on data from the Hipparcos mission: 5.036 ± 0.951M☉ for the primary and 2.295 ± 0.453M☉ for the secondary. They admit that the high inclination of the orbit resulted in a large margin of error.[17] Prieto and Lambert (1999) came up with a mass estimate of 3.81M☉ for the primary,[18] while Pizzolato and Maggio (2000) obtained 4.34M☉.[7] Ling et al. (2001) obtained estimates of 2.7M☉ for the primary and 1.65M☉ for the secondary,[8] while Kaler (2001) obtained 2.5 and 1.9, respectively.[13] Diamant et al. (2023) found masses of 3.6 and 2.4M☉ for A and B respectively.[9]
Johnson, H. L.; etal. (1966), "UBVRIJKL photometry of the bright stars", Communications of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, 4 (99): 99, Bibcode:1966CoLPL...4...99J
Samus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; etal. (2009). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: General Catalogue of Variable Stars (Samus+ 2007-2013)". VizieR On-line Data Catalog: B/GCVS. Originally Published in: 2009yCat....102025S. 1. Bibcode:2009yCat....102025S.
Pizzolato, N.; Maggio, A.; Sciortino, S. (September 2000), "Evolution of X-ray activity of 1-3 Msun late-type stars in early post-main-sequence phases", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 361: 614–628, Bibcode:2000A&A...361..614P
Ling, J. F.; Magdalena, P.; Prieto, C. (October 2001), "Perturbations by Mass Loss in the Orbital Elements of γ Persei and α Centauri", Revista Mexicana de Astronomía y Astrofísica, 37: 179–186, Bibcode:2001RMxAA..37..179L
Ginestet, N.; Carquillat, J. M. (December 2002), "Spectral Classification of the Hot Components of a Large Sample of Stars with Composite Spectra, and Implication for the Absolute Magnitudes of the Cool Supergiant Components", The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 143 (2): 513–537, Bibcode:2002ApJS..143..513G, doi:10.1086/342942
McAlister, H. A. (March 1982), "Masses and luminosities for the giant spectroscopic/speckle interferometric binaries gamma Persei and phi Cygni", Astronomical Journal, 87: 563–569, Bibcode:1982AJ.....87..563M, doi:10.1086/113130
Martin, C.; Mignard, F. (February 1998), "Mass determination of astrometric binaries with Hipparcos. II. Selection of candidates and results", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 330: 585–599, Bibcode:1998A&A...330..585M
