At 9:40 p.m. in the west-northwest, Venus can be easily found shining low above the horizon. The solar system's innermost planet, Mercury, while in the same general area, is not nearly so easily found. Over the next week, it drops quickly past Venus to the horizon as it orbits the sun. Mercury sits just to Venus' left on Tuesday night (June 18). Use binoculars to positively ID it since Mercury and Venus both glow in the same field of view. If conditions are very clear, binoculars may not be necessary to see Mercury.
In the image, taken at 9:40 p.m. on June 15, Mercury is seen to Venus' upper left.
Why not give Mercury spotting a try?
Such is our view from Earth...
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