
Hyades star cluster, with bright red star Aldebaran, seen through a telescope. Copyright 2012 Jerry Lodriguss/AstroPix.com. Used with permission.
As darkness falls, look for the waxing crescent moon in between the bright reddish star Aldebaran and the planet Mercury. The lit side of the moon points to Mercury near the horizon, which may become visible to the unaided eye around one hour after sunset. Binoculars, though, will enable you to spot Mercury all the sooner after sundown. Once again, rely on the lit side of the moon to point in the direction of Mercury, which will plunge beneath the horizon around nightfall, or about 90 minutes after sunset at mid-northern latitudes.