Have you ever seen Mercury? According to the Taipei Astronomical Museum, July 4th is the perfect time to observe this mysterious planet.
On July 4th, Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation of the year! During the twilight hours after the sun sets, it will briefly appear in the western sky at a low altitude, shining at a brightness of 0.5 magnitude, like a shimmering gem in the night sky.
Normally concealed in the glare of sunlight, Mercury is difficult to spot, but this time its angle from the sun is large enough to minimize interference from sunlight, making it one of the best eastern elongations to observe in 2025! Furthermore, Mercury will also be near the Beehive Cluster (M44) in the constellation of Cancer.
Interested in seeing Mercury? The Taipei Astronomical Museum advises looking towards the west 30 to 60 minutes after sunset, choosing a location with an unobstructed horizon and preferably using binoculars for a better view. After dinner, why not take a stroll with friends to search for this elusive planet together?
In addition, Mercury will meet with the “Jewel Box of the Night Sky,” the Beehive Cluster. On the evening of July 3rd, Mercury will have a close encounter with the Beehive Cluster in the west at a low altitude in the sky, with the two celestial bodies separated by only about 1 degree, creating a particularly enchanting view through binoculars. The white Mercury, resembling a pearl, weaving through the myriad stars of the cluster, paints a dreamy picture, making it a fantastic start to a summer night of stargazing.