Tonight is your best chance to see Mercury in the night sky

On 11 April 2023, the planet Mercury can be at best elongation, which is one of the best time to search for it within the evening sky. Since Mercury is the innermost planet of the photo voltaic system, it often seems near the solar within the sky, making it difficult to identify – so seize this chance when you can.

What is best elongation?

Greatest elongation means the planet is at its furthest distance from the solar as seen from Earth. For Mercury, this implies there’s a likelihood to identify it, however you’ll nonetheless should be fast. It can be simpler to see within the northern hemisphere as a result of this half of Earth is presently angled in direction of the solar, that means Mercury will seem increased above the horizon than it would within the southern hemisphere.

How do I see Mercury?

Look in direction of the western horizon as quickly because the solar has set. It may nonetheless be fairly mild outdoors, however it is best to be capable of make out the glow of Mercury with the bare eye. Binoculars gives you a greater view.

Why is it so troublesome to see Mercury?

Mercury, like Venus, is known as an inferior planet as a result of it orbits nearer to the solar than Earth does. Seeing these planets is dependent upon them being as removed from the solar as potential as a result of, when they’re proper subsequent to it, the sunshine they replicate is outshone by the solar itself. This issues extra for Mercury than it does for Venus as a result of Mercury is nearer to the solar, to not point out a lot smaller and fainter than Venus.

Just how small is Mercury?

The rocky planet, which has a cratered floor somewhat like our moon’s, is lower than 5000 kilometres in diameter. That makes it smaller than Jupiter’s moon Ganymede, which is way simpler to look at – simply level a pair of binoculars at Jupiter and it is best to be capable of see it, together with Jupiter’s different massive moons Io, Europa and Callisto.