EarthSky | Mercury after sunset: Greatest elongation December 21


Sundown view on December 21, 2022, with Mercury and Venus seen close to the horizon. You’ll be able to search for Mercury and Venus after the sun units under the horizon. Mercury reaches best elongation right now, December 21. Chart through stellarium.org. Used with permission.

Mercury has been exhibiting up within the night sky from the second week of December. It reaches best elongation on December 21, 2022. As a bonus, Mercury is 5 degrees away from dazzling Venus this night.

The place to look: Search for Mercury within the sundown route, as quickly because the sky begins to darken. Strive sweeping for Mercury with binoculars. It’d shock you, and pop into view.
When to look: Mercury started this night apparition round December 7. It’ll disappear once more on the finish of the month.
Best elongation: Is at 15 UTC on December 21, 2022. At best elongation, Mercury is farthest from the sundown for this night apparition, and 20 degrees from the sun within the night sky.
Brightness at best elongation: Mercury shines at magnitude -0.6.
Via a telescope: Mercury seems about 60% illuminated, in a waxing gibbous phase, 6.8 arcseconds throughout.
Elongation constellation: Venus is within the constellation of Sagittarius the Archer.
Word: Because the innermost planet, Mercury is tied to the sun in our sky. Because of this, it by no means ventures very far above the horizon after sundown. So, as quickly because the sun disappears under your horizon, the clock begins ticking. Will you see the glowing level of sunshine that’s Mercury earlier than it follows the setting sun?

For exact views out of your location, we advocate stellarium.org.

Available now! 2023 EarthSky lunar calendar. A unique and beautiful poster-sized calendar showing phases of the moon every night of the year. Makes a great gift!

The view from the Northern Hemisphere

Mercury and Venus December 2022
Mercury and Venus from the Northern Hemisphere. Mercury is at best distance from the sun on December 21, 2022. Plus, sensible Venus is 5 degrees from Mercury that day. Chart through John Jardine Goss / EarthSky.

The view from the Southern Hemisphere

Mercury and Venus, Southern Hemisphere, December 2022
Mercury and Venus from the Southern Hemisphere. Mercury is at best distance from the sun on December 21, 2022. And sensible Venus is 5 degrees from Mercury that day. Chart through John Jardine Goss / EarthSky.

For exact sun and Mercury rising instances at your location:

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

Mercury occasions in 2022 and 2023

Dec 21, 2022: Best elongation (night)
Jan 7, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Jan 30, 2023: Best elongation (morning)
Mar 17, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Apr 11, 2023: Best elongation (night)
Could 1, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Could 29, 2023: Best elongation (morning)
Jul 1, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Aug 10, 2023: Best elongation (night)
Sep 6, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Sep 22, 2023: Best elongation (morning)
Oct 20, 2023: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Dec 4, 2023: Best elongation (night)
Dec 22, 2023: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)

Heliocentric view of Mercury December 2022

Circle with sun at center, planets around, and zodiac names on outer edge.
View larger. | Heliocentric view of our solar system, December 2022. Chart through Guy Ottewell.

A comparability of elongations

As a matter of truth, not all of Mercury’s best elongations are created equal. Certainly, some are higher than others. In the end, the farthest from the sun that Mercury can ever seem on the sky’s dome is about 28 levels. And the least distance, comparatively, is round 18 levels.

Additionally, elongations are higher or worse relying on the time of 12 months they happen. In 2022, the Southern Hemisphere had the most effective night elongation of Mercury in August. And the Northern Hemisphere had the most effective night apparition in April.

Within the autumn for both hemisphere, the ecliptic – or path of the sun, moon and planets – makes a slim angle to the horizon within the night. However it makes a steep slant, practically perpendicular, within the morning. So, in autumn from both hemisphere, morning elongations of Mercury are greatest. Then, Mercury seems greater above the horizon and farther from the glow of the sun. Nevertheless, night elongations in autumn are tougher to see.

However, within the spring for both hemisphere, the scenario reverses. The ecliptic and horizon meet at a sharper angle on spring evenings and a narrower angle on spring mornings. So, in springtime for both hemisphere, night elongations of Mercury are greatest. In the meantime, morning elongations in springtime are tougher to see.

Chart with light blue and gray waves, black annotations, comparing Mercury elongations in 2022.
View larger. | Mercury elongations in contrast. Grey areas signify night apparitions (eastward elongation). Blue areas signify morning apparitions (westward elongation). The highest figures are the utmost elongations, reached on the prime dates proven beneath. Curves present the altitude of the planet above the horizon at dawn or sundown, for latitude 40 levels north (thick line) and 35 levels south (skinny). Maxima are reached on the parenthesized dates under (40 levels north daring). Chart through Guy Ottewell’s 2022 Astronomical Calendar.

The December Mercury elongation is respectable for each hemispheres

But for this December elongation of Mercury, neither hemisphere is basically favored for viewing the elusive planet. General, it’s an honest apparition for each hemispheres.

2022 December Mercury Greatest Elongation
At best elongation, Mercury is on one facet of the sun and is at its best distance from the sun on our sky’s dome. Mercury reaches best elongation from the sun on December 21, 2022, at 15 UTC. And is 20 degrees from the sun within the night sky. Chart through John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.

Images from our group

Crescent moon, 2 labeled dots in blue and orange sky over a lighted suspension bridge.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Alexander Krivenyshev of the web site WorldTimeZone.com captured this picture of the moon along with Mercury and Venus on Could 13, 2021, from Newport, Rhode Island. Thanks, Alexander!
Sunset with trees and label of Mercury on small dot.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Joel Weatherly in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, took this picture on April 23, 2022. Joel wrote: “Whereas the early morning planetary alignment garners consideration, lonely little Mercury is making an look in our night skies. Regardless of being elusive, it was simple to see with out optical support as soon as sighted. Mercury will stay a pleasing addition to our night skies because it reaches its best japanese elongation on April 29.” Thanks, Joel!
Lifeguard tower in the foreground, crescent moon and Mercury in a twilight sky.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Chix RC captured this picture on January 3, 2022, from Hermosa Seaside, California. See Mercury to the higher proper of the crescent? Chix wrote: “A faint younger moon at 1% illumination and Mercury.” Thanks, Chix!
Mercury and Mars close together in dim sunset sky over wooded hills.
Peter Lowenstein of Mutare, Zimbabwe, caught Mercury and Mars within the night twilight on August 18, 2021. Thanks, Peter!

Submit your photos to EarthSky here.

Some assets to take pleasure in

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

Backside line: Mercury is presently seen throughout its night apparition. So, look within the sundown route, because the sky is darkening. The planet reaches best elongation on December 21, 2022. By the best way, shiny Venus is seen as nicely.



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