Observation details: asteroid Psyche
Daily motion of Psyche
16 Psyche will remain visible until June 28, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
Psyche visibility on 2026-10-18
Psyche Visible from early morning until sunrise
Psyche rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Psyche transit | 07:47 | 62° |
Moonrise, 34.6% illuminated  | 11:59 | 27° |
| Psyche set | 14:15 | |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 17:54 | -36° |
| Moonset | 21:28 | -37° |
| Psyche rise | 01:17 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:51 | 31° |
| Twilight end (−12°) | 04:22 | 37° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:52 | 42° |
| Sunrise | 05:20 | 47° |
Track Psyche position throughout the night
← 18 October 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Psyche changing position in the night sky.
Psyche Description
This asteroid is designated 16 Psyche, main-belt asteroid Its diameter is approximately 222 km. 16 Psyche completes an orbit around the Sun in 5 years. It is currently 3.623 AU (542,036,469 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Leo.Current position in the Solar System: Psyche
| Date | Sun, 18 October 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | 3.61916 AU (541,418,630km) |
| Elongation | 50° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 12.2 |
Finder Chart for
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| Object name | |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| coordinates | 10.40375, 9.47325 |
| Center coordinates | 10.40375, 9.47325 |
Annual motion of Psyche
| Date | Sun, 18 October 2026 |
| Twilight start | 17:50 |
| Twilight end | 03:45 |
| Twilight duration | 10h 55m |
| Rise | 01:16 |
| Set | 14:12 |
| Elevation at transit | 62° |
| Transit time | 07:44 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 10h 25m 24s", Dec: 09° 21' 57s |
| Magnitude | 12 |
| Constellation | Leo |
The graph summarizes the object’s annual visibility, daily observing windows and transit times.
The vertical axis shows time of day and the horizontal axis shows the days of the year.
The shaded area marks when the object is above the horizon; the white line marks daily transit. You can also view the detailed annual visibility table.
The vertical axis shows time of day and the horizontal axis shows the days of the year.
The shaded area marks when the object is above the horizon; the white line marks daily transit. You can also view the detailed annual visibility table.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of 16 Psyche
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 10h 24m 14s |
| Declination | 09° 28′ 24″ |
| Magnitude | 12.2 |
| Constellation | Leo |
| Elevation | 61.1° |
| Azimuth | 162.4° |
Acknowledgments
Orbital and small-body data are provided by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Small-Body Database (SBDB) and Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). These resources support accurate positions, orbits and physical characteristics.