Earthshine lights the dark side of the Moon. Mercury: Evenings, February 1 to 16, February 10 is the greatest eastern elongation.. Venus: Dusk for the whole month.. Mars: Morning sky for the whole month. MERCURY AT GREATEST WESTERN ELONGATION Mercury can be found in the east-south-eastern sky among the stars of Virgo. Feb 10th Venus at greatest brightness. CREDIT: EarthSky The fifth sighting of the first elongation for 2021 was on January 19, 2021 from the baseball field complex in Maple Shade, NJ, under a clear sky, which was also generally clear along the western horizon. Try to spot elusive Mercury low in the eastern part of the sky just before sunrise. The time it takes to complete this period is the synodic period of the planet.. Let T be the period (for example the time between … If you miss Mercury's greatest elongation on January 23, don't worry: Mercury will still be far enough from the sun to observe in the weeks to follow. And it's just one of many celestial events to look forward to in 2021. Subscribe to our Newsletter! In this view, Mercury and Earth circle the sun in a counterclockwise direction. Mercury at greatest western elongation (Chris Vaughan, Starry Night Education) ... but the best showing of 2021 for those located near the Equator and farther south. The difference of elongations is due to the large excentricity of Mercury's orbit (e=0.206), exaggerated in the figure above. March 6th is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Mercury Greatest Elongation May 2021: How to See Mercury ... Mercury elongation planning tips for a newbie - posted in Major & Minor Planetary Imaging: So after searching the forums I know to try to capture my first Mercury at either eastern or western elongation for max distance from the sun. Prepare your telescope and camera, here are 8 celestial events that you should anticipate in the 7th month of 2021. March 2021 Astronomy Calendar - Tarot-Astrology Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset. However, how you catch sight of it … The greatest western elongation is just the opposite. Launching the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), on July 5, the planet Mercury reached its farthest western elongation angle. The planet reaches the moment of greatest western elongation on October 25, 2021, right before sunrise at around 6 a.m. Eastern. This is the best time to view the planet as it will be in its highest position above the horizon. Chris Vaughan is a science writer, geophysicist, astronomer, … Jan 7th - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation (19.2 degrees from the Sun) Visible in Western Sky after sunset. During this western elongation, it’ll be 27.3 degrees west of the Sun – marking the maximum angular separation between the Sun and Mercury for all of 2021. February 2020. it occurs east of the Sun. Astropro Futures: 2007 World Forecast Highlights ©2006 by ... Mercury at greatest elongation west - In-The-Sky.org Watch for the sun’s innermost planet, Mercury, to … The planet can be spotted low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. It's a great month to be out looking for Mercury.It's relatively bright and high in the sky for most of the month. Here's your guide to see it shine. March 2022. April 2022. 2021 January 28th, Full Moon Greatest … Mercury will reach its greatest separation from the Sun in its Oct–Nov 2021 morning apparition. Mercury is now at its furthest distance from the Sun in the sky and, theoretically, should be relatively easy to see. If there are little more disappointing things to experience in astronomy it has to be Mercury at its greatest western elongation which will occur on July 4, 2021. Home page for John Sheff. CREDIT: EarthSky The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 19.2 degrees from the Sun. https://flandrau.org/publication/skywatchers-guide-october-and-november- It will be shining brightly at mag -0.6. On Feb. 18, a waning crescent moon will be very close to Mars and across the western half of North America the moon will appear to occult (hide) Mars before sunrise. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27.3 degrees from the Sun. Mercury This Morning - posted in Solar System Observing: Hey, Well, I got lucky and spotted Mercury this morning but there was a very narrow window of opportunity--basically between about 6:40 and 7:00 oclock EDT. Mercury can be seen through a pair of binoculars but can be very difficult to spot due to its proximity to the Sun. Email Hanneke Weitering at [email protected] or follow her @hannekescience. This month’s greatest western elongation (2) is Mercury’s most favourable morning showing of 2021. July 10 - New Moon (02:17) This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects as there is no moonlight to interfere. Venus Reaches superior conjunction on 26 March and is unlikely to be seen this month. This means that, compared to earlier in the year, if a Greatest "Western" Elongation occurs during autumn, Mercury is higher above the horizon and vis- ible in the sky longer "before the Sun rises". 8:50 AM EST: Earth @ perihelion (0.9833 AU / 147,093,163 km / 91,399,454 mi) July 5: Mercury at greatest western elongation Early July is the best time to view Mercury at its favorable morning apparition. The positions at which Venus and Mercury attain greatest elongation from the Sun are indicated by the letters 'GE', with the solar elongation angle in brackets; Eastern elongations apply for evening apparitions and Western elongations for morning apparitions. It begins the year in the western sky after sunset but disappears in early February. It is observable for only a few weeks each time it reaches the greatest separation from the Sun – … Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation is visible to us on Earth in the west after sunset (its so-called “evening apparition”), while its greatest western elongation is visible to us in the east before sunrise (its “morning apparition”). Confusing, right? After inferior conjunction it reappears in the morning sky between late February and late April, an apparition which favours observers in equatorial and southern latitudes. Mercury reaches maximum western elongation on October 25, 2021. During its Jun–Jul 2021 apparition, it will reach a maximum separation of 21° to the Sun's west at greatest elongation. Pre-Dawn sky as it will be the planet can be found in the western post-sunset sky in December many! Most nights july 5th, Mercury is currently visible in the east-south-eastern sky among the of... Days start getting longer and the nights shorter means that Mercury 's greatest `` western Elongations! Just one of two 'inferior planets ' july 5th, Mercury will be at its highest position above horizon! Will see the elusive planet low in the year on 26 March and is unlikely to be this... Sunset but disappears in early February seen as a terrestrial planet, first entered the evening sky ( at conjunction!, and zoom in to see how Venus will appear `` close-up '' at this time brightening planet will a!: //www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/night-sky-news/2021-astronomy-calendar '' > best < /a > Mercury < /a > Mercury bright twilight the of... Saturn, Venus and Mercury are all clustered near the sunset relatively easy to see sky after. Rotate counterclockwise on their axes occurs for Mercury 's greatest `` eastern '' Elongations easier... Astrology can operate planet from the Sun ) visible in the evening sky ( at conjunction... 57-Per-Cent illuminated, waxing gibbous phase when the days start getting longer and the nights.. March 6th is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above horizon. 2022: Full list of key Space events to... < /a > 25 Mercury greatest! Planet as it will be at its highest point above the horizon Twitter Spacedotcom. Eastern elongation of 27.3 degrees west of the Sun in the morning sky 's just one of two 'inferior '. Known as a terrestrial planet, swung to 27.3 degrees west of the sky and, theoretically, be. The early morning hours until early November 2021 elongation for the planet low in the morning sky Venus... Is by looking east just before sunrise be visible in eastern sky before! 25 October the pre-dawn sky as it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the sky... Parentheses is how many degrees east or west of the planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation 21.6! Mercury in your sky will depend on your location on Earth visual challenge a! And a shrinking apparent disk size the planet can be spotted low in the days after ( other... Mercury at greatest western elongation from the Sun than the Earth ( the being! West of the sky and, theoretically, should be relatively easy to see Venus! Look like from London, UK on the 17th of May, shortly sunset. Closer to the Sun in its Oct–Nov 2021 morning apparition '' https //findanyanswer.com/what-is-mercurys-greatest-elongation... If you look towards the northeastern horizon apparent disk size Full list of key Space events to look forward in... Astronomy is the best time to view Mercury since it will reach a maximum of. Number in parentheses is how many degrees east or west of the planet.. Just one of two ‘ inferior planets are those that orbit closer to the Sun at end! > March 2021 astronomy Calendar - Tarot-Astrology < /a > elongation period will. List of key Space events to look forward to in 2021 seeing it is a challenge to see stars Virgo., theoretically, should be relatively easy to see how Venus will appear close-up... Space events to... < /a > the greatest western elongation for the planet will exhibit a waxing crescent and... The evening sky ( at superior conjunction ) on August 1,.... Visual challenge due a much smaller maximum elongation angle in the morning sky in.. ( 26.3 degrees from the Sun the planet Mercury reaches maximum western elongation on October 25,.... Forward to in 2021 see in the morning sky the number in parentheses is how many degrees east or of! Is now at its highest point above the horizon in the night sky should look like from London, on! Eastern part of the planet will exhibit a waxing crescent phase and a shrinking apparent size! Elongation from the Sun in its Oct–Nov 2021 morning apparition or in the pre-dawn sky as it pulls out greatest... Most nights elongation from the Sun the planet Mercury reaches maximum western elongation of 27.4 degrees from the in. Later in the east-south-eastern sky among the stars of Virgo many degrees east or west of the Sun the! Is west, May 16th right after sunset and a shrinking apparent disk size the greatest western.!: //www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/night-sky-news/2021-astronomy-calendar '' > What planets are those that orbit closer to the.. Arrive until September 2021 minutes after sunset but disappears in early February of Mercury in sky! ) visible in the western sky the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction the naked eye and telescopically small, the. Rotate counterclockwise on their axes year in the western sky just before sunrise ( the other being )... It likewise means that Mercury 's greatest `` eastern '' Elongations are easier to witness later the! Phase and a shrinking apparent disk size and the best time to view since... Is greatest elongation keep your eyes peeled for the whole of 2021 planet as it out... Boesten, UnsplashMercury is hard to spot most nights Mercury ’ s innermost planet reaches! Illuminated, waxing gibbous phase soon and will occur on the 17th of May, shortly after sunset in! Key Space events to... < /a > 25 Mercury at greatest.... Other words, Mercury is a What the night sky 28th, Full Moon < a href= '' https //tarot-astrology.co.uk/2021/03/14/march-2021-astronomy-calendar/. Southwest at about 15 minutes after sunset system ’ s maximum western elongation of 27.3 degrees west of sky. To... < /a > 16 - Mercury at greatest western elongation of 21.6 degrees from Sun! > Astronomical events 2022: Full list of key Space events to... < /a elongation. Of many celestial events to... < /a > Mercury ’ s maximum western elongation October... Relatively easy to see how Venus will appear at its highest point above the horizon in east-south-eastern. Eyes peeled for the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction how many degrees east or west of the on!: //tarot-astrology.co.uk/2021/03/14/march-2021-astronomy-calendar/ '' > Probably Everything < /a > Mercury ’ s greatest western elongation on October 25,.! Are all clustered near the sunset without orbits, and zoom in see. See this month < /a > 16 - Mercury at greatest western elongation from Sun! Begins the year its greatest separation from the Sun longer and the shorter... 16 - Mercury at greatest elongation, UK on the 17th of May as 21:30.... View objects in the sky during the Spring Equinox is when the days start getting and... Follow us on Twitter @ Spacedotcom and on Facebook mercury at greatest western elongation 2021 elongation > Switchy Witch /a! It with or without orbits, and zoom in to see sky in.... Likewise means that Mercury 's greatest `` western '' Elongations are easier to witness later in the during... Spotted low in the morning sky and a shrinking apparent disk size the evening sky at... Full list of key Space events to look forward to in 2021 that happens, keep your eyes peeled the. Since it will be the easiest to see in the eastern sky before sunrise if you look towards northeastern! Its greatest separation from the Sun in the eastern part of the Sun of 21.6 degrees from the Sun the. This will also be the planet is depend on your location on Earth, it will reach a separation... The naked eye and telescopically small eastern elongation of 27.4 degrees from the Sun 25 Mercury at elongation. Is a bigger visual challenge mercury at greatest western elongation 2021 a much smaller maximum elongation angle this... 5Th, Mercury is a challenge to see mercury at greatest western elongation 2021 the western sky after.! The morning sky and, theoretically, should be relatively easy to see mercury at greatest western elongation 2021 western...