Subj : Stargazing News - May 10th, 2024 To : All From : CJ Date : Thu May 09 2024 06:14:09 Friday May 10, 2024 Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation (before sunrise) On Friday, May 10, Mercury (orbit shown in red) will reach its greatest angle (26.4 degrees) from the morning sun and maximum visibility for its current morning apparition. With Mercury positioned in the eastern sky and well below the tilted morning ecliptic, this appearance of the innermost planet will be a poor one for Northern Hemisphere observers, but an excellent one for those viewing from the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere. The optimal viewing times at mid-northern latitudes will start around 5:15 a.m. local time. Viewed in a telescope the planet will exhibit a waxing, almost half-illuminated phase. (Data courtesy of Starry Night) --- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux * Origin: CJ's Place, Orange City FL > cjsplace.thruhere.net (954:895/61) .