4C 38.41 is optically violently variable on theelectromagnetic spectrum, thus classifying it as anOVV quasar.[5][7] When observed during optical monitoring, it is known to display variations on both long-term and short-term scales, with the maximum variation inR-band magnitude reaching 0.78 and B-band 0.74.[8] A faint state was initially observed at 17.55 magnitude, before rising to 16th magnitude during the next winter.[9]
In July 2009, the object displayedgamma-ray activity when it entered a high-state with an estimatedflux level of 1.38 ± 0.32 x 10-6 photons cm-2 s-1.[10] Anear infrared flare was observed on 26 March, 2011.[11] On 3 September, 2018, more gamma-ray emission was noted from the blazar by theAGILE Satellite, hinting it had undergone a new active violent phrase.[12] Intraday-variability was observed in addition during the three days of observation between February 22 and 28, 2018, with it displaying a redder when brighter trend.[13]
Radio imaging made byVery Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) found 4C 38.41 has a compact core-jet morphology structure comprising at least three components. When imaged at 608 MHzfrequencies, a compact radio core is revealed with an extended structure going west right up to 20milliarcseconds.[8] Some structural extension has also been noted in other imaging, both east and towards the northwest, along a negativeposition angle of -35°. From the extended region of the object weak traces ofradio emission are located west from the core.[14] A weak polarized component was found, described as bright with hints of further extensions.[15]
Theradio jet of 4C 38.41 is described as extended by 50 milliarcseconds towards the west direction with a sharp bend at the south. This jet might be suggested weak when imaged by a 2.3GHz radio image by VLBI.[16]Superluminal motion is also detected in the jet, given a jet component is shown moving with aproper motion of 0.14 ± 0.06 milliarcseconds per year.[17] In 2019, astronomers found the structure of the inner jet part show a semi-parabolic geometry shape. The jet regions never follow a ballistictrajectory direction, instead matching with asinusoidal pattern. This might arise from either jetprecession in helical motion or if the jet is unstable.[18]
Observations conducted in June 2023, found 4C 38.41 has evidence ofquasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) with most of its activity phrases showing them with a duration period between 10 and 110 days. Further evidence also noted one of the active phases has three further subphases with the same observed oscillations lasting between 10 and 40 days. When observed in a quiescent phase, more QPO-like behavior is discovered on two time-scales. This indicateskink instability or its curved model.[19] Asupermassive black hole mass of 10.1 Mʘ has been estimated for the object.[20]
