Sky ArchiveTonight

Mercury beneath Venus in western dusk

In late June 2018 – as dusk ebbs into darkness – try to catch the planet Mercury beneath Venus, the sky’s brightest planet. If you can spot Mercury around 60 to 90 minutes after sunset, then you have a good chance of spotting all 5 bright planets tonight (June 29, 2018) and for several weeks to come.

The 5 bright planets, which can be viewed with the eye alone and which have been observed since time immemorial, are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Far and away, Mercury, the innermost planet, will be the hardest to see. Mercury is only visible at dusk and/or early evening, and follows the sun beneath the horizon by the time that it gets good and dark.

Here’s how to catch Mercury. Find an unobstructed horizon in the direction of sunset. Venus, the third-brightest celestial object, after the sun and moon, should be rather easy to see in your western sky around 30 to 45 minutes after sundown. Some people will probably spot Venus even sooner after sundown. Then look for Mercury beneath Venus about 60 to 90 minutes after sunset. If you can’t see Mercury with the unaided eye, by all means try your luck with binoculars.

Don’t fret if you miss Mercury beneath Venus this evening. The next couple of weeks should be fine for viewing Mercury below Venus in the Northern Hemisphere. For our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, July 2018 will feature the best evening apparition of Mercury for the year. Click here for a sky almanac providing the setting time for Mercury in your sky.

Two other planets are out at nightfall and early evening: brilliant Jupiter and modesty-bright Saturn. From the Northern Hemisphere, the king planet Jupiter shines in the southern sky at dusk and nightfall, whereas Saturn is rather low in the southeast sky. From the Southern Hemisphere, Saturn is seen low in the southeast at nightfall, as well, yet Jupiter shines nearly overhead or high in the northern sky.

Last but not least, look for the red planet Mars to rise in the east to southeast sky after Venus follows the sun beneath the horizon. Seek for Mars, which is about the same brightness as Jupiter, beneath the golden planet Saturn. Click here for a recommended almanac providing Venus’ setting time and Mars’ rising time in your sky.

Use the moon to find the brilliant planet Mars at mid-to-late evening on June 29 and 30, plus July 1, 2018. Want to know where to locate Saturn? Click here.

To catch all 5 bright planets in late June and July 2018, you first of all need to spot Mercury beneath Venus at dusk or early evening. Try your luck tonight and for several weeks to come!

Posted 
June 25, 2018
 in 
Sky Archive

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Bruce McClure

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