Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation near the Beehive (after sunset)

After sunset on Thursday evening, July 3, Mercury (orbit shown in red) will stretch to its widest separation of 25.9 degrees east of the sun, and its maximum visibility, for its current apparition. This appearance of the planet will be reasonably good for both Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere observers. The optimal viewing time at mid-northern latitudes will commence around 9 p.m. local time. Viewed in a telescope (inset) the planet will exhibit a waning, nearly half-illuminated phase. As the sky darkens, watch for the scattered stars of the Beehive cluster aka Messier 44, spread out to Mercury’s upper right (or celestial north), and Cancer’s medium bright star Delta Cancri shining to Mercury’s upper left (or celestial east). Mercury will pass very close to that star on the following evening, July 4.