Mercury – near Jupiter – after sunset in late March

By late March, Jupiter will be mostly gone from our evening twilight sky. But, on March 27-28, 2023, Mercury and Jupiter will have a conjunction, very low in the west after sunset. The planets will be a little over 1 degree apart. That’s about 2 full moon diameters. They’ll be a challenge to spot, but Venus will stand out above them, and might help you locate them. They’ll be on a line between Venus and the sunset. After these evenings, Mercury will continue to climb higher each night, as Jupiter dives into the sunset. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.

Mercury will show up in the evening sky the last few days of March. It’ll sweep past the sky’s 2nd-brightest planet, Jupiter, on March 27-28, 2023. Then Jupiter will drop into the sunset, but Mercury will go on to reach its greatest elongation on April 11. It’ll be the best Mercury elongation of the year for the Northern Hemisphere. As a bonus, as April passes, Mercury will be near dazzling Venus – the brightest planet – in the April evening sky.

Mercury near Jupiter in late March

Where to look: Look for Mercury in the sunset direction, as soon as the sky begins to darken. If you can’t see it, try sweeping for Mercury with binoculars. It might surprise you, and pop into view.
When to look: Mercury begins this evening apparition the last few days of March. However, it fades rapidly after elongation and it’ll disappear from view about the 3rd week of the month. Also, a very thin waxing crescent moon will be near Mercury – low on the horizon – on April 21, and may guide you to it around 30 minutes after sunset. What’s the last day you can spot elusive Mercury?
Greatest elongation: Is at 22 UTC ( 3 p.m. CDT) on April 11, 2023. At greatest elongation, Mercury is farthest from the sunset for this evening apparition, and 19.5 degrees from the sun.
Brightness at greatest elongation: Mercury shines at magnitude 0 so you can see it in twilight with averted vision.
Through a telescope at greatest elongation: Mercury appears about 40% illuminated, in a waxing crescent phase, and 8 arcseconds across.
Elongation constellation: Mercury is in the constellation of Aries the Ram. However, this dim constellation is lost in the twilight.
Note: As the innermost planet, Mercury is tied to the sun in our sky. As a result, it never ventures very far above the horizon after sunset. So, as soon as the sun disappears below your horizon, the clock starts ticking. Will you see the glowing point of light that is Mercury before it follows the setting sun?

Mercury elongation from the Northern Hemisphere

On April evenings, use bright Venus to help locate Mercury after sunset. This view is for the Northern Hemisphere. Mercury is at greatest distance from the sun on April 11, 2023, but appears in the sunset direction the last few days of March. Chart via John Jardine Goss / EarthSky.

Mercury elongation from the Southern Hemisphere

The view of Mercury and Venus from the Southern Hemisphere. Mercury is at greatest distance from the sun on April 11, 2023. Chart via John Jardine Goss / EarthSky.

For precise views from your location, we recommend stellarium.org.

For precise sun and Mercury rising times at your location:

Old Farmer’s Almanac (U.S. and Canada)
Timeanddate.com (worldwide)
Stellarium (online planetarium program)

Mercury events in 2023

Jan 7, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Jan 30, 2023: Greatest elongation (morning)
Mar 17, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Apr 11, 2023: Greatest elongation (evening)
May 1, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
May 29, 2023: Greatest elongation (morning)
Jul 1, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Aug 10, 2023: Greatest elongation (evening)
Sep 6, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Sep 22, 2023: Greatest elongation (morning)
Oct 20, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Dec 4, 2023: Greatest elongation (evening)
Dec 22, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)

View larger. | Mercury’s greatest evening elongations in 2023 from the Northern Hemisphere as viewed through a powerful telescope. The planet images are at the 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month. Dots show the actual positions of the planet for every day. Chart via Guy Ottewell.

View larger. | Mercury’s greatest morning elongations in 2023 from the Southern Hemisphere as viewed through a powerful telescope. The planet images are at the 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month. Dots show the actual positions of the planet for every day. Chart via Guy Ottewell.

Heliocentric view of Mercury April 2023

The heliocentric view of solar system, April 2023. Chart via Guy Ottewell.

Overview of Mercury Elongation

At greatest elongation, Mercury is on one side of the sun and is at its greatest distance from the sun on our sky’s dome. Mercury reaches greatest elongation from the sun on April 11, 2023. And is 19.5 degrees from the sun in the evening sky. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.

A comparison of elongations

As a matter of fact, not all of Mercury’s greatest elongations are created equal. Indeed, some are greater than others. Ultimately, the farthest from the sun that Mercury can ever appear on the sky’s dome is about 28 degrees. And the least distance is around 18 degrees.

Also, elongations are better or worse depending on the time of year they occur. So in 2023, the Southern Hemisphere had the best evening elongation of Mercury in January, 2023. And the Northern Hemisphere will have the best evening apparition in April.

In the autumn for either hemisphere, the ecliptic – or path of the sun, moon and planets – makes a narrow angle to the horizon in the evening. But it makes a steep slant, nearly perpendicular, in the morning. So, in autumn from either hemisphere, morning elongations of Mercury are best. That’s when Mercury appears higher above the horizon and farther from the glow of the sun. However, evening elongations in autumn are harder to see.

On the other hand, in the spring for either hemisphere, the situation reverses. The ecliptic and horizon meet at a sharper angle on spring evenings and a narrower angle on spring mornings. So, in springtime for either hemisphere, evening elongations of Mercury are best. Meanwhile, morning elongations in springtime are harder to see.

View larger. | Mercury elongations compared. Here, gray areas represent evening apparitions (eastward elongation). And blue areas represent morning apparitions (westward elongation). The top figures are the maximum elongations, reached at the top dates shown beneath. Curves show the altitude of the planet above the horizon at sunrise or sunset, for latitude 40 degrees north (thick line) and 35 degrees south (thin). Maxima are reached at the parenthesized dates below (40 degrees north bold). Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2023 Astronomical Calendar.

Photos from our community

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in Dubai, UAE, took this image of the 5 visible planets and the moon on December 25, 2022. Tameem wrote: “A wonderful celestial scene, 5 planets of the solar system that can be seen with the unaided eye with the 7.6% waxing crescent moon, after sunset. The planets in order from bottom right are Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars.” Thank you, Tameem!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Alexander Krivenyshev of the website WorldTimeZone.com captured this photo of the moon together with Mercury and Venus on May 13, 2021, from Newport, Rhode Island. Thank you, Alexander!

More photos from our community

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Joel Weatherly in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, took this image on April 23, 2022. Joel wrote: “While the early morning planetary alignment garners attention, lonely little Mercury is making an appearance in our evening skies. Despite being elusive, it was easy to see without optical aid once sighted. Mercury will remain a pleasant addition to our evening skies as it reaches its greatest eastern elongation on April 29.” Thank you, Joel!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Chix RC captured this image on January 3, 2022, from Hermosa Beach, California. See Mercury to the upper right of the crescent? Chix wrote: “A faint young moon at 1% illumination and Mercury.” Thank you, Chix!

Submit your photos to EarthSky here.

Some resources to enjoy

Read about greatest elongations, superior and inferior conjunctions: Definitions for stargazers

Bottom line: Mercury reappears in the evening sky in late March. So, look in the sunset direction, as the sky is darkening. The planet reaches greatest elongation on April 11, 2023 and thin sinks out of view later in the month. By the way, bright Venus is near Mercury.

The post Mercury – near Jupiter – after sunset in late March first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/F9kAiHW

By late March, Jupiter will be mostly gone from our evening twilight sky. But, on March 27-28, 2023, Mercury and Jupiter will have a conjunction, very low in the west after sunset. The planets will be a little over 1 degree apart. That’s about 2 full moon diameters. They’ll be a challenge to spot, but Venus will stand out above them, and might help you locate them. They’ll be on a line between Venus and the sunset. After these evenings, Mercury will continue to climb higher each night, as Jupiter dives into the sunset. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.

Mercury will show up in the evening sky the last few days of March. It’ll sweep past the sky’s 2nd-brightest planet, Jupiter, on March 27-28, 2023. Then Jupiter will drop into the sunset, but Mercury will go on to reach its greatest elongation on April 11. It’ll be the best Mercury elongation of the year for the Northern Hemisphere. As a bonus, as April passes, Mercury will be near dazzling Venus – the brightest planet – in the April evening sky.

Mercury near Jupiter in late March

Where to look: Look for Mercury in the sunset direction, as soon as the sky begins to darken. If you can’t see it, try sweeping for Mercury with binoculars. It might surprise you, and pop into view.
When to look: Mercury begins this evening apparition the last few days of March. However, it fades rapidly after elongation and it’ll disappear from view about the 3rd week of the month. Also, a very thin waxing crescent moon will be near Mercury – low on the horizon – on April 21, and may guide you to it around 30 minutes after sunset. What’s the last day you can spot elusive Mercury?
Greatest elongation: Is at 22 UTC ( 3 p.m. CDT) on April 11, 2023. At greatest elongation, Mercury is farthest from the sunset for this evening apparition, and 19.5 degrees from the sun.
Brightness at greatest elongation: Mercury shines at magnitude 0 so you can see it in twilight with averted vision.
Through a telescope at greatest elongation: Mercury appears about 40% illuminated, in a waxing crescent phase, and 8 arcseconds across.
Elongation constellation: Mercury is in the constellation of Aries the Ram. However, this dim constellation is lost in the twilight.
Note: As the innermost planet, Mercury is tied to the sun in our sky. As a result, it never ventures very far above the horizon after sunset. So, as soon as the sun disappears below your horizon, the clock starts ticking. Will you see the glowing point of light that is Mercury before it follows the setting sun?

Mercury elongation from the Northern Hemisphere

On April evenings, use bright Venus to help locate Mercury after sunset. This view is for the Northern Hemisphere. Mercury is at greatest distance from the sun on April 11, 2023, but appears in the sunset direction the last few days of March. Chart via John Jardine Goss / EarthSky.

Mercury elongation from the Southern Hemisphere

The view of Mercury and Venus from the Southern Hemisphere. Mercury is at greatest distance from the sun on April 11, 2023. Chart via John Jardine Goss / EarthSky.

For precise views from your location, we recommend stellarium.org.

For precise sun and Mercury rising times at your location:

Old Farmer’s Almanac (U.S. and Canada)
Timeanddate.com (worldwide)
Stellarium (online planetarium program)

Mercury events in 2023

Jan 7, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Jan 30, 2023: Greatest elongation (morning)
Mar 17, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Apr 11, 2023: Greatest elongation (evening)
May 1, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
May 29, 2023: Greatest elongation (morning)
Jul 1, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Aug 10, 2023: Greatest elongation (evening)
Sep 6, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Sep 22, 2023: Greatest elongation (morning)
Oct 20, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Dec 4, 2023: Greatest elongation (evening)
Dec 22, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)

View larger. | Mercury’s greatest evening elongations in 2023 from the Northern Hemisphere as viewed through a powerful telescope. The planet images are at the 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month. Dots show the actual positions of the planet for every day. Chart via Guy Ottewell.

View larger. | Mercury’s greatest morning elongations in 2023 from the Southern Hemisphere as viewed through a powerful telescope. The planet images are at the 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month. Dots show the actual positions of the planet for every day. Chart via Guy Ottewell.

Heliocentric view of Mercury April 2023

The heliocentric view of solar system, April 2023. Chart via Guy Ottewell.

Overview of Mercury Elongation

At greatest elongation, Mercury is on one side of the sun and is at its greatest distance from the sun on our sky’s dome. Mercury reaches greatest elongation from the sun on April 11, 2023. And is 19.5 degrees from the sun in the evening sky. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.

A comparison of elongations

As a matter of fact, not all of Mercury’s greatest elongations are created equal. Indeed, some are greater than others. Ultimately, the farthest from the sun that Mercury can ever appear on the sky’s dome is about 28 degrees. And the least distance is around 18 degrees.

Also, elongations are better or worse depending on the time of year they occur. So in 2023, the Southern Hemisphere had the best evening elongation of Mercury in January, 2023. And the Northern Hemisphere will have the best evening apparition in April.

In the autumn for either hemisphere, the ecliptic – or path of the sun, moon and planets – makes a narrow angle to the horizon in the evening. But it makes a steep slant, nearly perpendicular, in the morning. So, in autumn from either hemisphere, morning elongations of Mercury are best. That’s when Mercury appears higher above the horizon and farther from the glow of the sun. However, evening elongations in autumn are harder to see.

On the other hand, in the spring for either hemisphere, the situation reverses. The ecliptic and horizon meet at a sharper angle on spring evenings and a narrower angle on spring mornings. So, in springtime for either hemisphere, evening elongations of Mercury are best. Meanwhile, morning elongations in springtime are harder to see.

View larger. | Mercury elongations compared. Here, gray areas represent evening apparitions (eastward elongation). And blue areas represent morning apparitions (westward elongation). The top figures are the maximum elongations, reached at the top dates shown beneath. Curves show the altitude of the planet above the horizon at sunrise or sunset, for latitude 40 degrees north (thick line) and 35 degrees south (thin). Maxima are reached at the parenthesized dates below (40 degrees north bold). Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2023 Astronomical Calendar.

Photos from our community

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in Dubai, UAE, took this image of the 5 visible planets and the moon on December 25, 2022. Tameem wrote: “A wonderful celestial scene, 5 planets of the solar system that can be seen with the unaided eye with the 7.6% waxing crescent moon, after sunset. The planets in order from bottom right are Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars.” Thank you, Tameem!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Alexander Krivenyshev of the website WorldTimeZone.com captured this photo of the moon together with Mercury and Venus on May 13, 2021, from Newport, Rhode Island. Thank you, Alexander!

More photos from our community

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Joel Weatherly in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, took this image on April 23, 2022. Joel wrote: “While the early morning planetary alignment garners attention, lonely little Mercury is making an appearance in our evening skies. Despite being elusive, it was easy to see without optical aid once sighted. Mercury will remain a pleasant addition to our evening skies as it reaches its greatest eastern elongation on April 29.” Thank you, Joel!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Chix RC captured this image on January 3, 2022, from Hermosa Beach, California. See Mercury to the upper right of the crescent? Chix wrote: “A faint young moon at 1% illumination and Mercury.” Thank you, Chix!

Submit your photos to EarthSky here.

Some resources to enjoy

Read about greatest elongations, superior and inferior conjunctions: Definitions for stargazers

Bottom line: Mercury reappears in the evening sky in late March. So, look in the sunset direction, as the sky is darkening. The planet reaches greatest elongation on April 11, 2023 and thin sinks out of view later in the month. By the way, bright Venus is near Mercury.

The post Mercury – near Jupiter – after sunset in late March first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/F9kAiHW