Mercury

Tonight Mercury lies to the SE (Lower Left) to M45 – The Pleiades. It is the first of three conjunctions Mercury has during the month – it lies the NW (Upper Right) of the waxing crescent moon on the 13th and to the E (Left) of Venus on the 28th when the gap between the two is less than 1 degree (two full moon widths).

#MayThe4thBeWithYou   #MayThe4th

Mercury 2.5° SE of the Pleiades (Alcyone marked 'a') and 4° above the NW horizon, at 2224 IST this evening May 4th. I don't think I've ever seen Mercury appear brighter, visible naked eye through the murk at mag -0.8 and sparkling in binoculars -


Finbarr.

Hi Neill and Finbarr,

Very many thanks for the notification, and the brilliant photo of the event. 

Looks like you had a nice break in the clouds there Finbarr - nice one!

Clear skies,

Darren.

Extraordinary image from you, Finbarr!

I am counting 7 Pleiades with Mercury. 
That sure is a superb camera you have!

Many congratulations from Aubrey.  

 

Excellent image Finbarr, predictably there was a big bank of cloud sitting in that area post sunset for myself.

The old rule for Irish Astronomy, if there is something interesting to see in the sky, it will be cloudy. Hopefully will be clear in next few nights and can pick Mercury up in binos etc.

Got lucky tonight and saw it in binos low in WNW.