[4] Because of its extreme variability at both radio and optical wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum, this BL Lac object has been referred to as a blazar.

[10] Another outburst occurred in 1997 the duration of which was on the order of 800 days with a maximum luminosity of 9.86 x 1047 erg s−1 suggesting a microlensing event scenario.

However, when compared to previous flares, it is shown weaker despite emission at all wavelengths increasing from gamma rays to millimeter waves and its light curve exhibiting a multi-peak structure with sharp variability at high energies.

[18] Additionally AO 0235+165 also contains a compact core with a weak extended structure located north-northwest from it, indicating a result of a small viewing angle found for the source.

[21] Alternatively, it might also contain a close binary black hole system with estimated similar masses of order of 1010 Mʘ with velocities of 104 and 5 x 103 kilometers per seconds.