Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The second half of February is a favorable time for observing Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun. The best days are February 19–20, when the planet will be at its highest altitude above the horizon at sunset and will be visible for more than an hour afterward, according to Alfia Nesterenko, head of the Vega Observatory at the NSU Physics Faculty.
"On February 19, Mercury reaches its greatest elongation during this evening appearance, when it is at its greatest angular distance from the Sun. Then, the angular distance between Mercury and the Sun in our sky will gradually begin to decrease. Ultimately, the planet will spend less and less time above the horizon, its brightness will begin to diminish, and by February 25-27, it will finally disappear into the rays of the evening dawn," explained Alfia Nesterenko.
Mercury is a relatively rare guest in the evening sky. This planet is closest to the Sun; in its apparent motion across the sky, Mercury follows the star and does not stray far from it, so its fainter glow is not noticeable in the Sun's light.
"The best time to observe Mercury is during the week following its greatest angular distance from the Sun, which occurs every two to three months—for example, six times in 2026. And this period began in the second week of February. You can find this small planet immediately after sunset in the southwestern horizon or at dawn," explained Alfia Nesterenko.
At the same time, the brighter Venus is visible just below Mercury. Both planets will be visible on February 18, when they will be near the Moon.
"Novosibirsk has a more favorable weather forecast for February 20, so city residents and amateur astronomers have the opportunity to observe the planet closest to the Sun and take photographs. To compare the size of Mercury relative to the solar disk, you can look at the photographs taken by our observatory during its transit across the Sun in 2016. The next pair of transits will be in 2032 and 2039," added Alfiya Nesterenko.
*A Mercury transit is an astronomical phenomenon in which the planet moves precisely between the Sun and an observation point (Earth, spacecraft, etc.). During a transit, Mercury appears as a tiny black dot moving across the Sun.
Pictured: Mercury transit, May 2016, captured by the Vega Observatory of the NSU Physics Department.
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