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Mercury - The 1st Planet

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A sunset featuring the Moon and Mercury, as captured by Don Brown of Utah Skies Mercury remains visible in the western sky, low on the horizon after sunset. Having reached its greatest eastern elongation on the 20th of June, it is falling back into the sun's glare and it's inferior conjunction on July 18th.

Because of its proximity to the Sun, Mercury is never really viewed against a dark background. Rather, it always struggles to be seen over the light of the setting or rising Sun. Patience (and clear skies) will reward you with some beautiful evening views of this planet.

In the accompanying image, Mercury is seen following the sun toward the western horizon of southern Utah with a slender crescent moon close behind.

Facts & Figures

  Max Min
Angular Size    
Brightness    
Distance from Earth 1.48 AU 0.52 AU
Distance from Sun 0.46 AU 0.30 AU
Temperature -173C 427C
   
Mass 3.303 x 1023kg  (0.055 x Earth)
Size 4879 km @ Equator  (0.383 x Earth)
Orbital Period 87.9 days
 

Greatest Elongations, 2006-2007

2006 Feb 24 05:03 18° 07' 32"  East
2006 Apr 08 18:38 27° 45' 49"  West
2006 Jun 20 20:10 24° 56' 16"  East
2006 Aug 07 00:32 19° 11' 11"  West
2006 Oct 17 04:07 24° 49' 14"  East
2006 Nov 25 12:56 19° 54' 16"  West
2007 Feb 07 17:39 18° 13' 55"  East
2007 Mar 22 01:47 27° 44' 26"  West
2007 Jun 02 09:56 23° 21' 57"  East
2007 Jul 20 14:59 20° 19' 28"  West
2007 Sep 29 16:08 25° 58' 58"  East
2007 Nov 08 20:31 18° 58' 34"  West
 
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