Based upon parallax measurements made by the Hipparcos satellite, this star is located at a distance of about 150 light-years (46 parsecs).

This energy is emitted from its outer envelope at an effective temperature of 5,000 K,[6] giving it the cool, orange hue of a K-type star.

As a probable member of the Milky Way's thin disk population, it has a low orbital inclination that carries it no more than about 100 ly (31 pc) above the galactic plane.

[14] This star is sometimes called by the name Sinistra, meaning left side in Latin,[15] although authors like Jim Kaler recommend not using this name, and instead stick to the Bayer designation only (Nu Ophiuchi).

[16] In China, the star is part of 天市左垣 (Tiān Shì Zuǒ Yuán), meaning Left Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure.