Based on parallax measurements made by the Hipparcos spacecraft, the system is some 810 light years (250 parsecs) away from Earth.

[2] HD 181068 is in the Kepler spacecraft's field of view, and its unique properties were first observed by the satellite's photometer.

[7] The primary, HD 181068 A, has a spectral type of G8III,[1] meaning it is a red giant that has used up its core hydrogen and has expanded to a radius of 12.46 R☉.

[5] The primary star is also unusual in that it does not exhibit internal seismic oscillations as have been detected in other red giants, although tidal forces from the closer pair may possibly be causing other variability in the light curve of the system.

[7] HD 181068 Ba and Bb have spectral types of G8V and K1V respectively, indicating their location on the main sequence, slightly later than the Sun.