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 08:30 and set before sunset at 13:47. Rising near twilight's end at 03:12, it will fade away by 03:44, peaking at just 6° 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 December 20
Melpomene Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Moon Rise, 0.4% illuminated | 05:19 | 22° |
| Melpomene transit | 08:30 | 39° |
| Melpomene set | 13:47 | |
| Moon Set | 14:25 | -7° |
| Astrosession begin | 16:26 | -31° |
| Melpomene rise | 03:12 | |
| Astrosession end | 03:44 | 6° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:48 | 18° |
| Sunrise | 05:19 | 22° |
Track Melpomene Position Throughout the Night
← Sat, 20 December 2025 →
| 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 3.502 AU (523,891,743 km) from Earth, and it is located in the constellation Scorpius.Current position of Melpomene in Solar System
| Date | Sat, 20 December 2025 |
| Distance from Earth to Melpomene | 3.502 AU (523,891,743km) |
| Elongation | 25° |
| 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 | 16.29860155269, -13.64899753139 |
| Center coordinates | 16.29860155269, -13.64899753139 |
Annual motion of Melpomene
| Date | Sun, 21 December 2025 |
| Twighlight start | 16:22 |
| Twighlight end | 03:38 |
| Twighlight duration | 11h 16m |
| Rise | 03:08 |
| Set | 13:41 |
| Elevation at transit | 39° |
| Transit time | 08:25 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 16h 19m 38s", Dec: -13° 42' 30s |
| Magnitude | 12 |
| Constellation | Scorpius |
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 | 16.29860155269° |
| Declination | -13.64899753139° |
| Magnitude | 11.71 |
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Elevation | -24.3° |
| Azimuth | -88.9° |
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.