Mercury is popping into the western sky as an evening star following its superior conjunction on the far side of the Sun on 2007 DEC 17. It will achieve its greatest eastern elongation for this apparition of 18.6° on 2008 JAN 21. From Chicagoland its greatest altitude at 30 minutes after sunset will be 10.3° on JAN 23, the same evening that it will appear 50% illuminated like a Half Moon. Before that date it will appear gibbous and afterward as a crescent. It will then swoop down for its inferior conjunction between Earth and Sun on FEB 06.

I’ve created a panoramic graphic demonstrating the position of Mercury in the western sky 30 minutes after sunset as observed from Chicagoland between JAN 01 and FEB 03. It should well serve most northern hemisphere observers. That and my January astronomical wallpaper calendar can be seen by clicking: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

The young crescent Moon will appear near Mercury on 2008 JAN 09. Below is a picture I took of the Moon and Mercury on 2007 MAY 17. Photos and descriptions of the upcoming apparition of Mercury would be welcome additions to this thread.

__________________
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
For monthly astronomical calendar visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical

Very nice picture!

__________________
I want to go back to the moon.
I don't care which rocket you use, whichever one you pick, I'll like it, I swear.
"If you think the LHC will create black holes, you might as well believe Hobbits are at the bottom of your garden."- Dr. Mike Inglis
Rovers forever! - ToSeek