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Greatest elongation
Mercury at greatest evening elongation
Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun, creating one of the best evening opportunities to find it.
DateSunday, October 11, 2026
Local time19:06
VisibilityGood
LocationBucharest
What to know
25.2° from the SunEvening sky-0.1 magnitude2° above horizonSWNaked eye with a clear horizon
How this was calculated
Astronomical calculation
- Source
- Astronomy Engine
- Method
- Apparent positions calculated from VSOP87 and NOVAS-based models.
- Accuracy and limits
- Times are suitable for observing plans; local horizons, terrain, and atmospheric refraction can shift first or last visibility.
What you will actually see
Greatest elongation places Mercury or Venus as far from the Sun as it appears during this part of its orbit, creating a particularly useful twilight view.
Where to lookUse the listed morning or evening direction and choose a completely open horizon.
What to bringNaked eye with a clear horizon
Safety first
Never sweep near the Sun with binoculars or a telescope. Wait until the Sun is completely below the horizon.
Prepare for the event
- Check whether this is a morning or evening appearance.
- Choose a horizon without buildings, trees, or hills.
- Arrive before the short twilight observing window begins.
How to observe it
- Wait until the Sun is fully below the horizon before using optics.
- Find the planet first with the naked eye in the listed direction.
- Watch how its position changes over the following evenings or mornings.