Because the plane of this orbit is inclined at an angle of 88.2° to the line of sight to the Earth,[8] the pair form a detached eclipsing binary system similar to Algol (β Per).

The primary component is a white main sequence star that has a stellar classification of A0V and 2.6 times the mass of the Sun.

[13] This suggests the presence of a large disc of dust and material around the star, prompting speculation of a planetary or proto-planetary system similar to that currently assumed around Vega.

α CrB is believed to be a member of the Ursa Major Moving Group of stars that have a common motion through space.

[20] Consequently, the Chinese name for Alpha Coronae Borealis itself is 貫索四 (Guàn Suǒ sì, English: the Fourth Star of Coiled Thong.).