Observation details: asteroid Melpomene
Daily motion of Melpomene
18 Melpomene will remain visible until December 1, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
Melpomene visibility on 2026-09-07
18 Melpomene Visible from sunset until early morning
Melpomene rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Melpomene rise | 13:36 | |
| Moonset | 14:56 | 14° |
| Sunset | 17:27 | 33° |
| Civil sunset | 17:55 | 35° |
| Twilight start | 18:26 | 36° |
| Melpomene transit | 18:42 | 36° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:58 | 36° |
Moonrise, 21% illuminated  | 23:21 | 5° |
| Melpomene set | 23:47 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:13 | -40° |
Track Melpomene Position Throughout the Night
← 7 September 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Melpomene changing position in the night sky.
Melpomene Description
This asteroid is designated 18 Melpomene, main-belt asteroid Its diameter is approximately 140 km. 18 Melpomene completes an orbit around the Sun in 3.5 years. It is currently 1.418 AU (212,135,765 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Sagittarius.Current position in the Solar System: Melpomene
| Date | Mon, 7 September 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | 1.41999 AU (212,427,480km) |
| Elongation | 115° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 9.7 |
Finder Chart for Melpomene
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| Object name | Melpomene |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| Melpomene coordinates | 18.65348, -16.87931 |
| Center coordinates | 18.65348, -16.87931 |
Annual motion of Melpomene
| Date | Mon, 7 September 2026 |
| Twilight start | 18:54 |
| Twilight end | 03:07 |
| Twilight duration | 8h 13m |
| Rise | 13:33 |
| Set | 23:43 |
| Elevation at transit | 36° |
| Transit time | 18:38 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 18h 39m 44s", Dec: -16° 59' 31s |
| Magnitude | 10 |
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
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 18 Melpomene
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 18h 39m 13s |
| Declination | -16° 52′ 46″ |
| Magnitude | 9.7 |
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Elevation | -9.9° |
| Azimuth | 103.8° |
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.