Originally from ticket #4617.
when can you see mercury in the night sky in the Seattle area?
Date
Votes
1 comment
-
Geoff Gaherty Mercury is often a difficult planet to find, but there are certain short periods each year when it can be seen with the naked eye with little effort, either just after sunset
or before sunrise.
In 2012, Northern Hemisphere observers will have two periods when Mercury can easily be located. During the first half of March, Mercury can be seen low in the
west-northwest soon after sunset. During mid-August, Mercury can be seen low in the east-northeast just before sunrise.
Southern Hemisphere observers will find Mercury well placed in the morning sky during mid-April, and in the evening sky in late October.
Date Event Degrees from Sun Magnitude N. Hemisphere S. Hemisphere Visibility
February 7 Superior Conjunction
March 5 Greatest Elongation East 18 –0.4 Excellent Poor Evening
March 21 Inferior Conjunction
April 18 Greatest Elongation West 27 +0.3 Poor Excellent Morning
May 27 Superior Conjunction
July 1 Greatest Elongation East 26 +0.4 Fair Good Evening
July 28 Inferior Conjunction
August 16 Greatest Elongation West 19 –0.1 Excellent Poor Morning
September 10 Superior Conjunction
October 26 Greatest Elongation East 24 –0.2 Poor Excellent Evening
November 17 Inferior Conjunction
December 4 Greatest Elongation West 21 –0.5 Good Poor Morning
Please sign in to leave a comment.