Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation near Venus (after sunset)

After sunset on the evenings surrounding Saturday, March 8, Mercury (orbit shown in red) stretch to its widest separation of 18.1 degrees east of the sun, and also its maximum visibility for its current apparition. With Mercury positioned in the western sky above the nearly upright evening ecliptic (green line), this appearance of the planet will be an excellent one for Northern Hemisphere observers, but a poor showing for observers located in the Southern Hemisphere. The optimal viewing times at mid-northern latitudes will be around 6:30 p.m. local time. Viewed in a telescope (inset) the planet will exhibit a waning, half-illuminated phase. Much brighter Venus, itself showing a slim crescent phase, will be positioned a generous palm’s width to Mercury’s upper right (or 7 degrees to the celestial north).