Based on parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is approximately 63.3 light-years (19.4 parsecs) distant from the Sun.

The system bore the traditional names Ras al Muthallah or Mothallah and Caput Trianguli derived from the Arabic رأس المثلث' raʼs al-muthallath "the head of the triangle" and its Latin translation.

[17] Estimates of the combined stellar classification for this system range from F5III[3] to F6IV,[4] with the luminosity class of 'IV' or 'III' indicating the primary component is a subgiant or giant star, respectively.

Within a few million years, as the primary continues to evolve into a red giant star, the system may become a semi-detached binary with the Roche lobe becoming filled to overflowing.

The effective temperature of the primary's outer envelope is 6,288 K,[9] giving it a yellow-white hue typical of F-type stars.