Asteroid 18 Melpomene Observation Details
Melpomene Daily Motion
Tonight, observing Melpomene may prove challenging owing to its low elevation. It will reach its transit at by 07:44 and set before sunset at 12:57. Rising near twilight's end at 02:28, it will fade away by 03:49, peaking at just 15° above the horizon.18 Melpomene will become visible in February, 23. After being too close to the Sun to observe, it will reappear in the night sky. Starting from February, 23, 18 Melpomene can be seen again, providing a good opportunity for observation.
Melpomene Visibility Timetable on January 10
Melpomene Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Melpomene transit | 07:44 | 38° |
| Melpomene set | 12:57 | |
| Astrosession begin | 16:40 | -44° |
| Moon Rise, 53.2% illuminated | 22:13 | -50° |
| Melpomene rise | 02:28 | |
| Astrosession end | 03:49 | 15° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:53 | 25° |
| Sunrise | 05:23 | 29° |
| Moon Set | 09:26 | 32° |
Track Melpomene Position Throughout the Night
← Sat, 10 January 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Melpomene changing position in the night sky.
Melpomene Description
Melpomene, designated as 18 Melpomene, is a main-belt asteroid, located between Mars and Jupiter in the solar system. With a diameter of 140 km, 18 Melpomene completes its orbit around the Sun in 3.5 years. At the moment, 18 Melpomene is 3.33 AU (498,160,909 km) from Earth, and it is located in the constellation Ophiuchus.Current position of Melpomene in Solar System
| Date | Sat, 10 January 2026 |
| Distance from Earth to Melpomene | 3.33 AU (498,160,909km) |
| Elongation | 36° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 11.71 |
Finder Chart for Melpomene
Double-click to unlock the map.
| Object name | 18 Melpomene |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| 18 Melpomene coordinates | 16.889070308991, -14.587360781517 |
| Center coordinates | 16.889070308991, -14.587360781517 |
Annual motion of Melpomene
| Date | Sun, 11 January 2026 |
| Twighlight start | 16:41 |
| Twighlight end | 03:47 |
| Twighlight duration | 11h 6m |
| Rise | 02:28 |
| Set | 12:55 |
| Elevation at transit | 38° |
| Transit time | 07:41 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 16h 55m 03s", Dec: -14° 37' 01s |
| Magnitude | 12 |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Melpomene, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Melpomene is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Melpomene is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.
Astrometric & Physical Parameters of 18 Melpomene
Coordinates & Visibility
| Right Ascension | 16.889070308991° |
| Declination | -14.587360781517° |
| Magnitude | 11.71 |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Elevation | -36.3° |
| Azimuth | 80.3° |
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for providing essential data on asteroids and comets through their Small-Body Database (SBDB) and Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). Their continuous efforts in tracking and cataloging these celestial bodies make it possible to offer accurate and up-to-date information on their positions, orbits, and physical characteristics.