[3] The nucleus of UGC 5101 has been found to be active and it has been categorised as a type 1.5 Seyfert galaxy or a LINER based on the radio continuum.

[4][5] The most accepted theory for the energy source of active galactic nuclei is the presence of an accretion disk around a supermassive black hole.

The mass of the black hole in the centre of UGC 5101 is estimated to be 108.2 (160 million) M☉ based on stellar velocity dispersion.

[8] Also NeV emission has been detected in the nucleus, indicating the presence of a hot gas in the coronal line region, while hot dust has been detected around the nucleus, as indicated by the presence of PAH emission and strong silicate absorption.

[13] When observed with very-long-baseline interferometry the galaxy features a ridgeline that could be compact jets generated by the active nucleus.