Sunday, February 17, 2013

Now is the time for the year's best view of Mercury

The closest planet to the sun, Mercury, can be the toughest of all the so-called bright planets to spot. Its solar proximity makes it alway appear near the sun, being in the evening sky for not long after sunset. (Or, likewise, in the morning sky before sunrise.) Monday and Tuesday, see the little world reach its highest point in the western sky after sunset before it drops towards the sun. For the next week, follow Mercury as it descends eventually disappearing from view during the last week of February.

Look to the wsw about 6:40 for Mercury's pinpoint of light. If you see something, it is likely the planet as there are no stars in the area bright enough to punch through the bright twilight glow.

Such is our view from Earth...

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