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.
The view from the Northern Hemisphere
The view from the Southern Hemisphere
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
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.
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.
Images from our group
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.
