Mercury at greatest eastern elongation, 12 October 2026
Mercury is 25.2° from the Sun — the best time to find it low in the west after sunset.
When
What it is
Mercury and Venus orbit inside the Earth’s orbit, so they never stray far from the Sun. At greatest elongation the angle is at its widest and the planet is easiest to see.
How to see it
Look west 30–60 minutes after sunset with a clear, low horizon. Mercury is bright (magnitude 0.1) but low; binoculars help — but never point them near the Sun.
Check the clouds for that night
See also
Saturn at opposition 2026
Saturn is opposite the Sun: up all night, at its closest and brightest (magnitude 0.3) in Cetus.
The Moon meets Mars, 5 October 2026
The Moon passes 1.1° from Mars — a pretty pair for the naked eye and the camera.
The Moon meets Jupiter, 6 October 2026
The Moon passes 0.2° from Jupiter — a pretty pair for the naked eye and the camera.
Draconids meteor shower 2026
Peak night, up to 10 meteors an hour under a dark sky. The Moon is almost out of the way — a good year.
Mercury at greatest eastern elongation, 16 June 2026
Mercury is 24.5° from the Sun — the best time to find it low in the west after sunset.
Mercury at greatest western elongation, 2 August 2026
Mercury is 19.5° from the Sun — the best time to find it low in the east before sunrise.