[9] The nova was discovered with 14×100 binoculars by Alfredo Pereira of Cabo da Roca, Portugal at 18:50 UT on 1 December 1999, when it had a visual magnitude of 6.0.

[10] V1494 Aquilae is classified as a fast nova, meaning it faded from peak brightness by more than 3 magnitudes in less than 100 days.

[11] During its decline, V1494 Aql produced unusual variations in its x-ray radiation, including a bright burst lasting several minutes.

The x-ray intensity varied with a period of about 40 minutes, probably due to pulsations induced in the white dwarf by its re-kindled hydrogen fusion.

[2][4] This apparently is a measurement of two stars of approximately equal brightness, the nova and a companion 1.4″ to the south east.