Today the planet Mercury passes through inferior conjunction, passing between the Sun and the Earth. In a week or so the planet will again be visible in the dawn sky, climbing higher each day. Maximum elongation will occur December 4th.
Mercury Events for 2012 |
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Date UT | Date HST | Separation | |||
Superior Conjunction | Feb 7 | 08:54UT | Feb 6 | 22:54HST | |
Maximum Elongation | Mar 5 | 08:59UT | Mar 4 | 22:59HST | 18.2°E |
Inferior Conjunction | Mar 21 | 19:19UT | Mar 21 | 09:19HST | |
Maximum Elongation | Apr 18 | 16:59UT | Apr 18 | 06:59HST | 27.5°W |
Superior Conjunction | May 27 | 11:14UT | May 27 | 01:14HST | |
Maximum Elongation | July 1 | 01:59UT | Jun 30 | 15:59HST | 25.7°E |
Inferior Conjunction | Jul 28 | 19:54UT | Jul 28 | 09:54HST | |
Maximum Elongation | Aug 16 | 11:59UT | Aug 16 | 01:59HST | 18.7°W |
Superior Conjunction | Sep 10 | 12:37UT | Sep 10 | 02:37HST | |
Maximum Elongation | Oct 26 | 21:59UT | Oct 26 | 11:59HST | 24.1°E |
Inferior Conjunction | Nov 17 | 15:42UT | Nov 17 | 05:42HST | |
Maximum Elongation | Dec 4 | 22:59UT | Dec 4 | 12:59HST | 20.6°W |
Source: NASA Sky Calendar and the Mercury Chaser’s Calculator | |||||
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