The distance to this star, determined using parallax measurements from the Hipparcos astrometry satellite,[15] yields a value of approximately 228 light-years (70 parsecs) from the Sun.

[1][2] Sigma Sagittarii has a spectrum matching a stellar classification of B2.5 V,[4] which indicates this is a B-type main-sequence star.

[18] Spectroscopic observations in 2007-2008 hint for the presence of yet unseen stellar companion, estimated to have a mass 1.2±0.2 M☉ and a temperature of 6,100 K.[19] It is 3.45 degrees south of the ecliptic, so it can be occulted by the Moon and rarely by planets.

[20] This is the brightest star that can be principally occulted by an exterior planet between 5000 BC and 5000 AD.

Consequently, the Chinese name for Sigma Sagittarii itself is 斗宿四 (Dǒu Xiù sì, English: the Fourth Star of Dipper.