The brightness of φ Draconis varies by about 0.04 of a magnitude every 1.7 days. This is due to very strong magnetic fields at the surface of the star, and it is classified as an α2 Canum Venaticorum variable.[2]
φ Draconis is a multiple star system containing three stars. The inner pair form a single-lined spectroscopic binary in an eccentric 128-day orbit. The outermost star orbits the inner pair every 308 years. The outer pair can be resolved visually and have a semi-major axis of 0.752″. A fourth component, C, is also listed in multiple star catalogues, but is only a chance alignment with the triple system.[4]
Phi Draconis Aa is a main-sequence Ap star with a spectral class of B8. The main abundance excess is silicon, although iron and chromium and also notably elevated.[10]
^ abcSamus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; et al. (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.