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[Centaur]

Normally elusive Mercury has commenced a fine evening apparition for northern hemisphere observers. This will be almost as good as the next one during May and June.

My detailed article describing this apparition appears under the links for my related graphics at www.CurtRenz.com/mercury

Photos and descriptions of Mercury during the coming month would be welcome additions to this thread.

[Paulie pchris00]

There was a list of mostly naked eye astronomical events going around on Facebook last week, and it listed the February apparition as the best evening apparition of Mercury this year. Some of my non-astronomy friends asked me what I thought of the list. While researching it, I noticed on your graph that the May/June apparition was a little bit better, and presumably much warmer to boot. Not that Mercury isn't worth the effort this time, but I think I'll put a higher priority on the summer apparition.

[Centaur]

Jan 30, 2013 18:24:35 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

There was a list of mostly naked eye astronomical events going around on Facebook last week, and it listed the February apparition as the best evening apparition of Mercury this year. Some of my non-astronomy friends asked me what I thought of the list. While researching it, I noticed on your graph that the May/June apparition was a little bit better, and presumably much warmer to boot. Not that Mercury isn't worth the effort this time, but I think I'll put a higher priority on the summer apparition.

Space.com columnist Joe Rao often writes articles that are either hyperbolic or contain slight inaccuracies. However, he is widely read as his articles are often repeated by Yahoo and the Huffington Post. Of course the public takes his statements as gospel. In December he wrote about the “Must-see stargazing events in 2013”. It was there that he cited February for “the best evening view of Mercury.” I corrected him by adding a comment to one of the reproductions of his article. My evidence was my same graphs to which you alluded, Paulie. Good research on your part. Those graphs appear at: www.CurtRenz.com/mercury

The February apparition will be excellent, but May-June even better. The difference is the fact that the February apparition will occur while Mercury is near its perihelion, therefore its greatest eastern elongation won’t really be so great. During the May-June apparition Mercury will swing further from the Sun. That overrides the fact that the angle of the ecliptic against the sunset horizon will be slightly less during late spring than during late winter.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Many people on this Earth go through their entire lives without ever noticing little Mercury.

I like to show this planet to our Chicago Astronomer visitors, but other than a noticeable phase, most are not impressed.

But, those with an interest in space....dig it.

[Centaur]

Jan 30, 2013 22:20:41 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Many people on this Earth go through their entire lives without ever noticing little Mercury.

I like to show this planet to our Chicago Astronomer visitors, but other than a noticeable phase, most are not impressed.

But, those with an interest in space....dig it.

Noticing was the right choice of words, Joe. Most have probably seen it without being aware. I suppose we’re like birdwatchers. We like to add new names to our list of sightings. Outsiders may not understand.

[Paulie pchris00]

Even if the details made the February apparition of Mercury slightly better than May/June, I would still rate the summer apparition slightly higher. I'm becoming a fan of warm weather astronomy, and think that bias outweighs most other factors. ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Astro Joe don't do winter astronomy no more....

Unless of course, a special event occurs like a eclipse, comet or something unusual.

[Centaur]

Feb 1, 2013 9:32:23 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I'm becoming a fan of warm weather astronomy, and think that bias outweighs most other factors.

Feb 1, 2013 9:39:30 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Astro Joe don't do winter astronomy no more....

Guys, I've felt the same way for many years. However, winters have been getting shorter and less harsh as explained by Nobel Prize winning University of Illinois Professor Don Wuebbles in this 19-minute video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c78JmupgjAo

[marie83]

As a non-professional astrnomer I want to add a little bit to this discussion. Before my tiny adventure with astronomy started I had thought everything up are stars. And I admit - I had not looked up much. (now I absolutely regret it because the area I used to live at had almost none light pollution and the night sky was fulllll of stars!!!) Right now, when I am more aware of what's up, simple NOTICING any tiny, little object is a great deal for me. I remember when I first realized the big point on the sky was Jupiter - I felt reborn!
I have not had much time to do my astronomy hobby lately (another semester started...), but I am super-interested in finding Mercury!!
And of course I cannt wait for another Chicago Astronomer gathering
WIshing you all the best - Marie

[Centaur]

Feb 3, 2013 15:36:10 GMT -6 marie83 said:

As a non-professional astrnomer I want to add a little bit to this discussion. Before my tiny adventure with astronomy started I had thought everything up are stars. And I admit - I had not looked up much. (now I absolutely regret it because the area I used to live at had almost none light pollution and the night sky was fulllll of stars!!!) Right now, when I am more aware of what's up, simple NOTICING any tiny, little object is a great deal for me. I remember when I first realized the big point on the sky was Jupiter - I felt reborn!
I have not had much time to do my astronomy hobby lately (another semester started...), but I am super-interested in finding Mercury!!
And of course I cannt wait for another Chicago Astronomer gathering
WIshing you all the best - Marie

Well, Marie, everyone who has contributed to this thread is a non-professional astronomer. The story of the development of your interest in astronomy is probably similar to that for each of us. We've probably all had that great "aha" moment. Welcome to the club.

[Paulie pchris00]

Feb 1, 2013 9:39:30 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Astro Joe don't do winter astronomy no more....

Unless of course, a special event occurs like a eclipse, comet or something unusual.

This looks like winter astronomy to me.

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Observations&action=display&thread=4177

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

It was the Martinis.

[amryan]

Curt,

It appears as though Mars is going to be in conjunction with Mercury during part of this time. I think the closest point is tonight actually. Would it be possible to plot Mars on your chart as well as Mercury and the Moon? Also, I was contemplating giving this graphic to a couple of my co-workers. If the time was printed next to the date, it would be much more useful for them. I doubt many of them know when the sun sets each night.

Thanks,
Tony

[Centaur]

Feb 8, 2013 12:10:41 GMT -6 amryan said:

It appears as though Mars is going to be in conjunction with Mercury during part of this time. I think the closest point is tonight actually. Would it be possible to plot Mars on your chart as well as Mercury and the Moon? Also, I was contemplating giving this graphic to a couple of my co-workers. If the time was printed next to the date, it would be much more useful for them. I doubt many of them know when the sun sets each night.

Thanks for your interest and suggestions, Tony. Indeed Mercury passes Mars by only 0.3° today as noted on my February astronomical calendar: www.CurtRenz.com/calendar

I'm afraid that more celestial bodies added to my Mercury panorama would result in confusing clutter. It would be hard to match dates. Adding times would increase the clutter. Check out my Mars webpage for Mars graphics: www.CurtRenz.com/mars

Anyone with insufficient interest to be aware of sunset times would not be interested in astronomy or my charts. My charts are for an international audience. On a particular day the Sun sets at different times for different locations. However, for those at mid-northern latitudes my chart would be virtually the same for everyone at 30 minutes after his/her sunset. Actually, the sky is still rather bright then, and Mercury would appear lower as the sky darkens.

If my work is not suitable for your co-workers, then I suggest your taking the time to create graphics more to their liking. ;D

[amryan]

I should thought about the fact that the sun sets at a different time at different locations. Thanks for setting me straight.

After several nights of trying, I did manage to see Mercury yesterday evening for the first time in twenty years.

Thanks