[10] It has an apparent visual magnitude of 3.1,[2] which is bright enough to be viewed with the naked eye even from an urban location.

[15] Consequently, Beta Columbae itself is known as 子二 (Zǐ èr, English: the Second Star of Son.

The notation 'CN+1' indicates a higher than normal level of cyanogen (CN) absorption in the atmosphere of the star.

[20] Beta Columbae has a high proper motion across the celestial sphere[21] and is moving at an unusually large speed of 100 km s−1 relative to the Sun.

[10] About 107,200 years ago, it made a close approach to the Beta Pictoris system.