A bold reminder from the night sky: Comet 24P/Schaumasse is making a standout pass tonight, gliding near two bright galaxies in Leo and offering stargazers a nearly picture-perfect view through a telescope.
Schaumasse is moving briskly across the celestial sphere. The current chart for the first half of December tracks its arc, with galaxies down to magnitude 11 included for reference. Source: Astronomy by Roen Kelly.
- Comet 24P/Schaumasse is an observable target, about magnitude 12, in the vicinity of Leo the Lion.
- The best viewing window for 24P/Schaumasse is around 3:00 a.m. local time, when the comet will be about 50 degrees above the eastern horizon, located roughly 8.8 degrees west-northwest of Denebola and near the galaxies NGC 3607 and NGC 3608.
- The Geminid meteor shower is active, boosting sporadic meteor activity, with a peak expected on the 14th.
- Viewing conditions are affected by a 37% illuminated waning crescent Moon, though the Moon’s light eases as the mornings progress and rises later, improving comet visibility.
If you’re hunting for a sky event this week, explore our full Sky This Week column: https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sky-this-week-from-december-5-to-12-2025/
December 11: The Orion Nebula is on the schedule: https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sky-today-thursday-december-11-2025/
As the Geminids approach their peak on the 14th, this annual meteor shower is already elevating the baseline meteor rate above the year-round average. So, keep an eye on the early morning skies as Comet 24P/Schaumasse rises above the horizon haze, positioned near the hindquarters of Leo.
By 3 a.m. local time, the region near Leo’s tail (Denebola) will be nearly 50° high in the east. Look for Denebola first, then scan about 8.8° to the west-northwest to find the comet. Schaumasse is currently around magnitude 12 and will be near two slightly brighter background galaxies: the 10th-magnitude spiral NGC 3607 and the 11th-magnitude elliptical NGC 3608. The comet sits about 2.5° north of magnitude 3.3 star Chertan (Theta Leonis) and roughly 0.25° southwest of the two galaxies, which lie about 6 arcminutes apart. A provided sky chart can help you navigate.
Moon considerations remain, but the waning phase lessens interference. If needed, you can try again on the following morning, when the Moon rises later and the comet will be located at a similar relative position southeast of the galaxies. The Geminids might push sporadic meteor rates a bit higher still by Saturday morning.
Important local times (local to 40° N, 90° W):
- Sunrise: 7:13 A.M.
- Sunset: 4:35 P.M.
- Moonrise: 12:12 A.M.
- Moonset: 12:28 P.M.
- Moon Phase: Waning crescent, about 37%
Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time for the specified location, with the Moon’s illumination noted at 10 P.M. local time.
