Asteroid Melpomene Observation Details
Melpomene Daily Motion
18 Melpomene will be visible until November, 30, when it will move too close to the Sun. During this time, its proximity to the Sun will cause it to disappear from the night sky, making it unobservable for a while.
Melpomene Visibility on July 20
18 Melpomene is visible all night until sunrise
Melpomene Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moon Rise, 25.8% illuminated  | 09:58 | -63° |
| Melpomene rise | 16:43 | |
| Sunset | 18:24 | 19° |
| Civil sunset | 18:55 | 24° |
| Twighlight start | 19:32 | 29° |
| Astrosession begin | 20:12 | 35° |
| Moon Set | 21:33 | 41° |
| Melpomene transit | 22:09 | 42° |
| Astrosession end | 02:15 | 15° |
| Twighlight end | 02:56 | 8° |
| Civil sunrise | 03:33 | 0° |
| Melpomene set | 03:35 |
Track Melpomene Position Throughout the Night
← Mon, 20 July 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 1.191 AU (178,203,976 km) from Earth, and it is located in the constellation Scutum.Current position of Melpomene in Solar System
| Date | Mon, 20 July 2026 |
| Distance from Earth to Melpomene | 1.19125 AU (178,208,463km) |
| Elongation | 162° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 8.9 |
Finder Chart for Melpomene
Double-click to unlock the map.
| Object name | 18 Melpomene |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| 18 Melpomene coordinates | 18.91204, -10.55067 |
| Center coordinates | 18.91204, -10.55067 |
Annual motion of Melpomene
| Date | Mon, 20 July 2026 |
| Twighlight start | 20:08 |
| Twighlight end | 02:09 |
| Twighlight duration | 6h 1m |
| Rise | 16:43 |
| Set | 03:35 |
| Elevation at transit | 42° |
| Transit time | 22:09 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 18h 53m 44s", Dec: -10° 39' 56s |
| Magnitude | 9 |
| Constellation | Scutum |
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. You can also view detailed visibility information in a dedicated table, including exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
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. You can also view detailed visibility information in a dedicated table, including exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Astrometric & Physical Parameters of 18 Melpomene
Coordinates & Visibility
| Right Ascension | 18.91204° |
| Declination | -10.55067° |
| Magnitude | 8.9 |
| Constellation | Scutum |
| Elevation | -52.1° |
| Azimuth | 307.3° |
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.