Post by Centaur on May 6, 2007 22:45:49 GMT -6
Mercury was in Superior Conjunction behind the Sun on May 3 in preparation for a favorable apparition as a May-June junior Evening Star. While it will pale in comparison to its brilliant big sister Venus, which will be higher in the western sky, this will present a fine opportunity for those who have never observed the elusive little planet.
Mercury will achieve its Greatest Eastern Elongation from the Sun of 23.4° on June 2 at 10 hr UT, before diving back toward Inferior Conjunction between the Earth and Sun on June 28. As viewed from northwest suburban Chicago 30 minutes after sunset, Mercury will achieve its greatest altitude of 13.3° on May 29. On May 7 its magnitude will be -1.8, which will steadily dim to +3.0 on June 20.
The planet’s apparent disk will be 50% illuminated (like a Half Moon) on May 27. Before that date it will appear gibbous and after that a crescent. On May 17 and June 15 Mercury will serve as an aid for New Moon spotters as the young Moon passes to the north of Mercury.
I’ve created a panoramic graphic demonstrating Mercury’s position in the west-northwestern sky as seen from northwest suburban Chicago from May 7 to June 20. Although it should well serve most observers in the northern hemisphere. To see the graphic, click: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos and descriptions of this fine apparition by Mercury would be welcome additions to this thread.
Mercury will achieve its Greatest Eastern Elongation from the Sun of 23.4° on June 2 at 10 hr UT, before diving back toward Inferior Conjunction between the Earth and Sun on June 28. As viewed from northwest suburban Chicago 30 minutes after sunset, Mercury will achieve its greatest altitude of 13.3° on May 29. On May 7 its magnitude will be -1.8, which will steadily dim to +3.0 on June 20.
The planet’s apparent disk will be 50% illuminated (like a Half Moon) on May 27. Before that date it will appear gibbous and after that a crescent. On May 17 and June 15 Mercury will serve as an aid for New Moon spotters as the young Moon passes to the north of Mercury.
I’ve created a panoramic graphic demonstrating Mercury’s position in the west-northwestern sky as seen from northwest suburban Chicago from May 7 to June 20. Although it should well serve most observers in the northern hemisphere. To see the graphic, click: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos and descriptions of this fine apparition by Mercury would be welcome additions to this thread.
