Don’t Miss Mercury Before It vanishes!

If you’re an early bird, now is your golden opportunity to catch Mercury, our solar system's tiniest planet! On this Tuesday, May 13, watch for it low in the eastern sky just 20 minutes before sunrise. At a striking magnitude of -0.6, Mercury is visible but pales in comparison to the dazzling Venus, shining at -4.6 and positioned 26.5° above to the right.

The Mechanics of Mercury’s Disappearance

Mercury will soon be out of sight as it moves toward superior conjunction, putting it on the far side of the Sun, approximately 1.2 astronomical units—or 111.5 million miles—away from Earth. Through a telescope, you'll see Mercury's disk illuminated at nearly 80%, yet it only spans 6 inches across, a testament to its small stature.

Spot Other Celestial Beauties!

While Mercury makes its exit, don’t forget about Venus! Currently, it’s still relatively close to Earth and appears larger, albeit as a crescent with only 38% illumination. Its size in the sky? A notable 30 inches! Though you may catch glimpses of Saturn nearby, it will likely be overshadowed in the dawn light.

Essential Viewing Times