apparent size: 5 to 13 seconds
apparent magnitude: -2 to +3
Mercury
Mercury is the most difficult to observe of the naked eye planets, because it never ventures more than 28 degrees from the sun. Thus, excepting during a total eclipse of the sun, it is never seen in a dark sky nor away from the horizon. Mercury is best observed in the evening sky between 2 June and 20 June 2000, and again in the evening sky between 22 September and 16 October 2000. During 2001, it is best observed in the evening sky between 20 and 31 January, 8 and 30 May, 20 and 31 August, and 26 December - early January 2002. continue 2002
View through a small telescope:
apparent size: 5 to 13 seconds
apparent magnitude: -2 to +3
Mariner 10 mosaic of Mercury:
click on the image for a full screen view
Early formation of Mercury (video)
This video clip was taken from the NASA movie Mercury: Exploration of a Planet (HQ 282). It is episode 2 of the Journey through the Solar System movie series. The video clip was digitized by Calvin J. Hamilton.
The final stages in Mercury's formation (video)
This video clip was taken from the NASA movie Mercury: Exploration of a Planet (HQ 282). It is episode 2 of the Journey through the Solar System movie series. The video clip was digitized by Calvin J. Hamilton.
Written by Stephen R. Kessell
Updated 27 January, 2001
