An eclipsing variable star of Algol type, with a magnitude fluctuation from 3.3 to 3.8 in a period of 3.95 days. Suitable comparison stars are γ (3.6 mag), μ (4.3 mag), ο (3.6 mag), and ζ (3.7 mag). λ Tau is actually much brighter than Algol, but it is located at a much greater distance (480 light years). Its light variations were first observed by J. Baxendell from England in 1848.