Tonight Comet Schaumasse offers a picture-perfect view for telescopic observers as it passes close to two lovely galaxies in Leo the Lion.
Comet Schaumasse is moving quickly through the sky. This chart shows its path in the first half of December. Galaxies are shown down to magnitude 11. Credit: Astronomy: Roen Kelly
- Comet 24P/Schaumasse is presented as an observable target, estimated at 12th magnitude, situated in the vicinity of Leo the Lion.
- Optimal viewing for Comet 24P/Schaumasse is specified for approximately 3 A.M. local time, reaching 50° altitude in the east, positioned 8.8° west-northwest of Denebola and near galaxies NGC 3607 and NGC 3608.
- The Geminid meteor shower is noted to be active, contributing to an increase in sporadic meteor rates, with its peak anticipated on the 14th.
- Observational conditions are influenced by a 37% waning crescent Moon, with improved visibility for the comet suggested for subsequent mornings due to the Moon’s later rising time.
Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column.
December 11: Visit the Orion Nebula
The Geminids are coming! Peaking on the 14th, this annual shower is likely already causing an increase over the random rate of meteors we see all year round, so keep an eye on the skies this morning as you wait for Comet 24P/Schaumasse to rise out of the horizon haze, located near the hindquarters of Leo the Lion.
By 3 A.M. local time, this region is nearly 50° high in the east — look for Denebola, the bright star marking Leo’s tail, then scan about 8.8° west-northwest for your target. Now glowing around 12th magnitude, Comet Schaumasse today lies near two slightly brighter background galaxies: 10th-magnitude spiral NGC 3607 and 11th-magnitude elliptical NGC 3608. Schaumasse is just 2.5° north of magnitude 3.3 Chertan (Theta Leonis), and about ¼° southwest of the two galaxies, which themselves are only about 6’ apart. The chart above should help guide the way.
The Moon is admittedly nearby, though its waning phase means its light isn’t as much of a hindrance as it could be. You can also try again tomorrow morning, when the Moon rises later and the comet will be roughly the same distance southeast of the galaxies instead. The Geminids may have further bumped up the sporadic meteor rate by Saturday morning as well.
Sunrise: 7:13 A.M.
Sunset: 4:35 P.M.
Moonrise: 12:12 A.M.
Moonset: 12:28 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (37%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 10 P.M. local time from the same location.
