HEY HOWDY MERCURIAL MEMBERS OF THE STAR GAZING COMMUNITY.
MERCURY IS TOUGH TO SEE AT THE BEST OF TIMES, BUT NEXT WEEK IT REACHES ITS HIGHEST MORNING ALTITUDE AND GREAT ELONGATION WEST; PLUS VENUS THE MORNING STAR IS OUT!
HIT THE MORNING TWILIGHT AROUND 5AM AND LOOK EAST FOR RISING VENUS.
IT'’’LL BE THE BRIGHTEST OBJECT IN THE SKY BY FAR.
MERCURY WILL RISE AT ABOUT SIX AM.
IT'’’S A TINY DOT AND DIFFICULT TO SPOT.
IT'’’S BEST TO WAIT UNTIL 6:45AM WHEN IT GETS HIGHER BEFORE IT IS WASHED OUT BY THE LIGHT OF THE SUN.
BECAUSE IT'’’S SO CLOSE TO THE SUN, WE NEED TO WAIT FOR MERC TO GET FAR FROM THE SUN ON ITS ORBIT TO SPOT IT.
THIS POINT IS CALLED ELONGATION AND NEXT WEEK MERCURY WILL REACH ITS GREATEST WESTERN ELONGATION!
BECAUSE IT HAS AN 88-DAY ORBIT, THIS ELONGATION HAPPENS EVERY 44 DAYS YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW WHERE TO LOOK!
AND NOW YOU DO.
KEEP LOOKIN'’’ UP!