Mercury at greatest western elongation, 21 November 2026
Mercury is 19.6° from the Sun — the best time to find it low in the east before sunrise.
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 east 30–60 minutes before sunrise with a clear, low horizon. Mercury is bright (magnitude -0.4) but low; binoculars help — but never point them near the Sun.
Check the clouds for that night
See also
The Moon meets Mars, 2 November 2026
The Moon passes 1° from Mars — a pretty pair for the naked eye and the camera.
The Moon meets Jupiter, 2 November 2026
The Moon passes 0.5° from Jupiter — a pretty pair for the naked eye and the camera.
The Moon meets Venus, 7 November 2026
The Moon passes 1° from Venus — a pretty pair for the naked eye and the camera.
Jupiter and Mars in conjunction, 16 November 2026
Jupiter and Mars are just 1.2° apart — they fit in one binocular view.
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.