[2] Based upon an annual parallax shift of 33.49 mas,[1] it is located some 97 light years from our Sun.

The primary, component A, is an evolved K-type giant star with a stellar classification of K0 IVSB:.

[3] During the mid-20th century, the Dutch-American astronomer Willem Jacob Luyten proposed that the G3V star HD 24293 formed a third component of this system, based upon similar proper motions.

However, this was subsequently ruled out based on more accurate measurements, since their actual distances, radial velocities, and proper motions do not match.

Consequently, β Reticuli itself is known as 蛇首二 (Shé Shǒu èr, English: the Second Star of Snake's Head.