Monday, July 22, 2024

Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation with Venus (after sunset)

After sunset on Monday evening, July 22, Mercury will be at its widest separation of 26.9 degrees east of the Sun, and its maximum visibility for its current apparition. With Mercury positioned in the western sky below the severely tilted evening ecliptic (green line), this appearance of the planet will be a very poor one for Northern Hemisphere observers, but it will offer good views for observers located near the equator and farther south. The optimal viewing times at mid-northern latitudes will be around 9 p.m. local time. Viewed in a telescope the planet will exhibit a waning, half-illuminated phase. Much brighter Venus will be positioned about 1.4 fist diameters to Mercury's lower right (or 14 degrees to the celestial WNW).

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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