Mercury Rising

[renodoc]

The elusive first planet is displaying itself for the next month or so just after sunset above the WNW horizon. It is quite bright, a bit on the pink side, and sinks VERY FAST.

While you are out looking, Mars and Saturn will be to the WSW, and Jupiter is beaming brightly in the south. (For the N Hemisphere at least)

[chrisnice]

No kidding. 95 here today and close to 100 tommorow. blahhh, i need a vacation.

[gdsdiscgolfer]

~ what time exactly?

[renodoc]

from astronomy.com

Mercury appears best on June evenings, when it shines brightly low in west-northwest. George Livadaras [larger image]
It takes just 3 or 4 weeks for the solar system's innermost planet to pop into view, swing through a short arc in the evening twilight, and slump back into the Sun's glare. Unlike the outer planets, which offer several months of good viewing, you need to plan carefully to catch fleet-footed Mercury.

First, choose a spot with an unobstructed view toward the west-northwestern horizon. Mark the point on the horizon where the Sun sets. Return 30 to 45 minutes later with binoculars and scan just above your mark. You won't miss the bright, peach-colored dot glowing against the orange twilight. Mercury will be tough to see before May 27, but it gets easier with each passing day as the planet moves farther from the Sun and climbs higher in the darkening sky.

After mid-June, Mercury dims quickly. Although the planet draws closer to Earth, its phase wanes from gibbous to a thin crescent, leaving less surface to reflect sunlight our way.

[CORed]

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First, choose a spot with an unobstructed view toward the west-northwestern horizon.

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Looks like I'm going to have to get out of Denver if i want to see it.