Mercury greatest distance after sunset February 2, 2027

Mercury after sunset in February 2027

Where to look: Look west — the sunset direction — shortly after sunset to see Mercury. This will be the best evening apparition in 2027 for viewers in the Northern Hemisphere, Mercury will most likely be easy to spot due to the steep angle of the ecliptic this time of year.
Greatest elongation: Mercury is farthest from the sun in our sky at 6 UTC on February 3, 2027. That’s 9 p.m. CST on February 2. Mercury won’t necessarily be visible where you are at that precise moment, but it will be at its farthest from the sun on that day. At that time, Mercury will be 18 degrees from the sun in our sky.
Brightness: Mercury emerged in the evening sky in January. Since then, it’s been shining with a magnitude of around -1. At greatest elongation it’ll be farther from the sunset glare, shining around -0.6 magnitude and therefore brighter than most stars! In the evenings soon after greatest elongation, the innermost planet will drop rapidly closer to the horizon until around mid-February. Mercury will be moving between Earth and the sun, with its illuminated side becoming less and less visible. It’ll reach inferior conjunction — when it passes between Earth and the sun — at 17 UTC on February 18.
Through a telescope: Mercury will appear about 62% illuminated at greatest elongation. It’ll measure 7 arcseconds across.
Constellation: Mercury will lie in front of the constellation Aquarius the Water Bearer at this elongation. Doubtless, the stars in this constellation will be lost in the evening twilight.
Note: As the innermost planet, Mercury is tied to the sun in our sky. As a result, it never ventures very far above the horizon after sunset. So as soon as the sun disappears below your horizon, your clock starts ticking. Will you see the glowing point of light that is Mercury before it drops below the horizon, following the setting sun?

For precise sun and Mercury setting times at your location:

timeanddate.com (worldwide)
Stellarium (online planetarium)

Mercury events in 2027 (UTC times)

Jan 1, 2027: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Feb 3, 2027: Greatest elongation (evening)
Feb 18, 2027: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Mar 17, 2027: Greatest elongation (morning)
April 28, 2027: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
May 28, 2027: Greatest elongation (evening)
Jun 23, 2027: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun)
Jul 15, 2027: Greatest elongation (morning)
Aug 11, 2027: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)
Sep 24, 2027: Greatest elongation (evening)
Oct 19, 2027: Inferior conjunction (races between Earth and sun
Nov 4, 2027: Greatest elongation (morning)
December 11, 2027: Superior conjunction (passes behind sun from Earth)

A comparison of elongations

In February 2027, Mercury stretches out 18 degrees from the sun in our sky. The farthest from the sun that Mercury can ever appear on the sky’s dome is about 28 degrees. And the least distance is around 18 degrees.

Mercury (and Venus) elongations are better or worse depending on the time of the year they occur. So in 2027, the Northern Hemisphere had the best evening apparition in February. And the Southern Hemisphere will have its best evening elongation of Mercury in September.

In the autumn for either hemisphere, the ecliptic — or path of the sun, moon and planets — makes a narrow angle to the horizon in the evening. But it makes a steep slant, nearly perpendicular, in the morning. So, in autumn from either hemisphere, morning elongations of Mercury are best. That’s when Mercury appears higher above the horizon and farther from the glow of the sun. However, evening elongations in autumn are harder to see.

In the spring for either hemisphere, the situation reverses. The ecliptic and horizon meet at a sharper angle on spring evenings and a narrower angle on spring mornings. So, in springtime for either hemisphere, evening elongations of Mercury are best. Meanwhile, morning elongations in springtime are harder to see.

Mercury evening elongation comparisons for 2027

Bottom line: The sun’s innermost planet, Mercury, will be 18 degrees from the sunset when it reaches its greatest elongation at 3:06 UTC on February 3, 2027. This will be best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.

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