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Sky-Tonight.com / Comets / C/2026 M3 (MASTER)
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Observation Settings

Or select it on the map:
This Earth map lets you select the observer’s location used to calculate the bearing and elevation of celestial objects. The selected point determines how the sky, rise and set times, and object positions are shown.
Your location: Santa Clara, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
37.3541
Longitude:
-121.955

Observation details: comet C/2026 M3 (MASTER)

C/2026 M3 (MASTER)

Daily motion of C/2026 M3 (MASTER)


90004970 C/2026 M3 (MASTER) will remain visible until December 9, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.

C/2026 M3 (MASTER) visibility on 2026-09-16

C/2026 M3 (MASTER) Visible from sunset until early morning

C/2026 M3 (MASTER) rise and set timetable

TimeElevation
Moonrise, 16% illuminated 09:41-6°
Sunset17:1375°
C/2026 M3 (MASTER) transit17:3376°
Civil sunset17:4176°
Twilight start (−12°)18:1274°
Astronomical observing session begins18:4369°
Moonset19:2861°
C/2026 M3 (MASTER) set00:48
Astronomical observing session ends03:22-22°
C/2026 M3 (MASTER) rise10:14

Track C/2026 M3 (MASTER) position throughout the night

← 16 September 2026 →

Elevation (degrees)
Time
Altitude
Azimuth
Shift the map to change the time and observe C/2026 M3 (MASTER) changing position in the night sky.

C/2026 M3 (MASTER) Description

This comet is designated 90004970 C/2026 M3 (MASTER), hyperbolic comet. It is currently 11.935 AU (1,785,389,252 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Hercules.

Current position in the Solar System: C/2026 M3 (MASTER)

Earth C/2026 M3 (MASTER)
DateWed, 16 September 2026
Distance from Earth11.93459 AU (1,785,389,252km)
Elongation96°
Angular diameter"
Magnitude19.9
This interactive projection shows the object, Earth and the Sun in the Solar System. Slide it left or right to change the date and follow their orbital motion.

Finder Chart for

Double-click to unlock the map.
Object name
Field of view
Limiting magnitude
coordinates18.09473, 23.2235
Center coordinates18.09473, 23.2235

Annual motion of C/2026 M3 (MASTER)

Time
DateThu, 17 September 2026
Twilight start18:37
Twilight end03:17
Twilight duration9h 40m
Rise10:14
Set00:44
Elevation at transit76°
Transit time17:29
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 18h 05m 36s", Dec: 23° 11' 49s
Magnitude20
ConstellationHercules
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.

Astrometric and Physical Parameters of 90004970 C/2026 M3 (MASTER)

Coordinates and Visibility

Right Ascension18h 05m 41s
Declination23° 13′ 25″
Magnitude19.9
ConstellationHercules
Elevation-8.2°
Azimuth307.7°

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.