The planet Mercury is starting an evening apparition. The planet should become visible this week just above the fading glow of the setting Sun as a magnitude -1 object. The planet is moving about 1° further from the Sun and higher in the sunset each day, reaching a maximum elongation of 20° on December 28th.
Category: Sky Events
Sky events
Full Moon
Mercury at Superior Conjunction
Today Mercury passes through superior conjunction, passing behind the Sun as seen from the Earth. The planet will appear in the sunset in ten days or so, reaching maximum elongation on Dec 29th.
New Moon
Full Moon
Venus at Maximum Elongation
Today Venus is at maximum elongation, as high in the dawn sky as it will get for this morning apparition, about 46°. After today the planet will begin its long slide back into the glare of dawn. It will disappear from view around the beginning of May, 2016 and reach superior conjunction on June 6th, 2016.
Mercury at Maximum Elongation
Today Mercury will be at maximum western elongation, as high in the morning sky as it will appear for this current apparition. After today the planet will slide back into the dawn, passing through superior conjunction on November 17th to reappear in the evening sky around the end of November.
New Moon
Mercury Appears in the Dawn
The planet Mercury is starting a morning apparition. The planet should become visible this week just above the dawn as a magnitude -1 object. The planet is moving more than 1° further from the Sun and higher in the morning sky each day, reaching a maximum elongation of 18° on October 15th.
Mercury at Inferior Conjunction
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 October 16th.