Mercury is beginning an apparition as a morning star following its inferior conjunction between Earth and Sun on 2008 JUN 07. This will not be one of the elusive planet’s ideal apparitions for northern hemisphere observers, nor will it be a bad one. Let’s just call it a challenge.

Mercury should reach its greatest western elongation of 21.8° on JUL 01 before descending to superior conjunction behind the Sun on JUL 29. As viewed from Chicagoland 30 minutes before sunrise, it will achieve its highest altitude of 8.1° on JUL 07. On JUL 06 it will appear 50% illuminated like a Half Moon. Before that date it will be a crescent and afterward gibbous.

To see my panorama for this apparition, click: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Photos or descriptions of Mercury would be welcome additions to this thread.

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