SKY GUY VIEWING ALERT!!! SEE ELUSIVE MERCURY AFTER SUNSET

Hey Space Placers!

The planet closest to the Sun, Mercury, is well positioned tonight, 1-22-21 and the next week or so in the Southwest (SW) after sunset. On Saturday, 1-23-21, Mercury is its farthest from the Sun in the sky for this current observing period.

It is best to look at about 6:00 PM local time. Binoculars can help you in your search but the planet is easily seen with your eyes once you actually zero in on the yellowish-golden colored planet. It will be about a fist-width above the horizon. Having a clear view of the SW horizon is critical in spotting the "Winged Messenger".

Mercury is BRIGHT as you can see in this pic taken 1-21-21 at 6:30 when it was getting low on the horizon. It is a shade out of focus to emphasize Mercury's color and brightness to help you in your search. Mercury will be the brightest "star" in this part of the sky so it is easy to distinguish from nearby stars.

The following photograph was taken at sea and shows you what Mercury will actually look like as to color and brightness in the dusk sky.

It is thought that less than 1% of the humans that have ever lived on this planet have seen and RECOGNIZED Mercury as a planet. It is never very far from the Sun so it is always in morning or evening dusk. And it moves quickly against the background stars and its position in the sky. Depending on viewing circumstances it can be seen for several weeks.

So take a peek tonight and the next few nights to see if you can join the humans who have SEEN and RECOGNIZED the planet Mercury.

Sky Guy in VA