Astroblog: Mercury and Spica Astoundingly Close this Saturday

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Mercury and Spica Astoundingly Close this Saturday

If you look at the image of the western horizon to the left, you will notice the labels Spica and Mercury, but only one dot. That is because Mercury and Spica are so close, only those with superb vision will be able to see them see them separately, the rest of us will need binoculars.

When will this rare sight happen? The evening of Saturday, September 22. The best time to look is between half an hour and an hour after sunset. Mercury will be readily visible above the western horizon.

Watching over the next few days as Mercury sidles up to Spica and then passes it will be nice too. Unfortunately, bad weather so far has kept me from seeing it.

Labels: Mercury, Observational Astronomy