It was discovered by David Fabricus on the 13th of August 1596 but he thought it was a nova.
In 1603 Bayer put it in his atlas at 4th magnitude, not aware of its variability.
In 1779 it rose to nearly 1st magnitude and almost equal to Aldebaran.
Mira can sometimes reach the 2nd magnitude in brightness.
Its minimum is 9th magnitude.
With an average period of 331 days.
At minimum Mira is one of the coolest known stars with a temprature of 1900k and a spectral type M9.
At maximum the temp rises to 2500k and a spectral type of M6e.
The highest temp is reached after the star cools.
It has strong spectral bands of titanium oxide.
Mira has a bright blue companion with a density of 3300 times that of the Sun.
Heres a link for an image of Mira and its companion:
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/arc.../star/1997/26/