[5] In visible light, identification of this object is hampered by the galactic plane and an M-type star that lies near the line of sight.

The flat radio spectrum and double structure of this feature are suggestive of gravitational lensing by a foreground galaxy.

[6] Interferometric radio telescope observation was used to detect an unusually bright Einstein ring in 1991,[7] spanning a radius of 1″.

[10] In 1996, absorption of neutral hydrogen was detected at a redshift of 0.19, suggesting a possible second lensing galaxy for a compound gravitational lens.

[15] PKS 1830-211 has been used as a radio source for measuring redshifted molecular species, including ArH+, CF+, HCN, HCO+, H2O, NH3, and OH+.