From now until February 4, Mercury is the farthest it will be from the sun all year. What astronomers call its great eastern elongation.
This means in the Northern Hemisphere you will be able to spot the
planet in the twilight sky with the naked eye. It will be relatively
high in the south western sky, ten degrees (about the width of your fist
at arm’s length) above the setting sun.
Mercury will remain visible to the naked eye for up to one hour after
sunset until early February, giving sky-watchers a small window of
opportunity to catch sight of the planet. Thereafter, the planet resumes
its place in the sun’s glare.
Knowing where and when to look will make it easier to spot this speedy
little planet. First, find a viewing location that has a totally clear
line of sight toward the west. Go out with binoculars about 30 minutes
after sunset and scan the south west horizon for Mercury to appear as a
yellow-orange star.
Look for the thin crescent moon 20 degrees above the south western
horizon at dusk on today. Mercury will appear about ten degrees
below it. By Sunday evening, the crescent moon will rise to double its
distance above and to the left of Mercury.
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