This is a double-lined spectroscopic binary system with an orbital period of nearly two days in a circular orbit.[8] It is classified as a rotating ellipsoidalvariable star and its brightness varies by 0.02 magnitudes with a period of 23.57 hours,[5] which equals half of its orbital period. The spectrum matches that of an A-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of A5 V.[3] The two stars have similar masses and spectra.[4] A star at a projected separation of 1,700 AU has been identified as a possible white dwarf. It is at the same distance as Pi Cassiopeiae and shares a common proper motion. The age of the white dwarf is calculated to be about 500 million years.[14]
Pi Cassiopeiae has been given the spectral class of kA3hF1mA5, indicating an Am star,[15] but this is now considered doubtful.[16]
^ abCowley, A.; et al. (April 1969), "A study of the bright A stars. I. A catalogue of spectral classifications", Astronomical Journal, 74: 375–406, Bibcode:1969AJ.....74..375C, doi:10.1086/110819.
^ abcDavid, Trevor J.; Hillenbrand, Lynne A. (2015), "The Ages of Early-Type Stars: Strömgren Photometric Methods Calibrated, Validated, Tested, and Applied to Hosts and Prospective Hosts of Directly Imaged Exoplanets", The Astrophysical Journal, 804 (2): 146, arXiv:1501.03154, Bibcode:2015ApJ...804..146D, doi:10.1088/0004-637X/804/2/146, S2CID33401607.