Parallax measurements from the Hipparcos mission place this star at a distance of about 460 light-years (140 parsecs) from Earth.

The 'p' suffix designates peculiar spectral features, which have been observed in both optical and ultraviolet wavelengths.

[4] The estimated age of the pair is 4 million years,[8] and it appears much younger than the surrounding IC 2602 cluster.

[4] Theta Carinae has an intensely hot outer radiating envelope with an effective surface temperature of 31,000 K.[10] Once the primary reaches around 11 million years old, the star will expand and will begin to transferring its outer surface mass back to its companion.

[13] Consequently, θ Carinae itself is known as 南船三 (Nán Chuán sān, English: the Third Star of Southern Boat).