On Sept. 8, 2021 at 4:18 p.m. ET (2018 GMT), Mercury will be with the crescent Moon. After sunset, the pair will be visible above western horizon. SkySafari app image credit
Mercury, a tiny planet, will be very close to the crescent Moon in the evening sky tonight (Sept. 8,), but it may prove difficult to see the pair.
Mercury and the Moon will be right above the western horizon at sunset. This means that you won't have time to see Mercury before it sinks below. Although the planet will still be visible in the sky just before sunset, it may be difficult or dangerous to see in the bright sun's glare.
According to Time and Date, New York City's sun sets at 7 :16 p.m. EDT tonight. This is less than an hour before Mercury sets at 8.06 p.m. local. At 8:29 p.m., Mercury sets the day-old waxing crescent Moon that just entered new phase Monday (Sept. 6).
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According to In-The-Sky.org, Mercury and the Moon reached a conjunction at 4:18 p.m. ET (2018 GMT). Although they will be visible together throughout the evening, you might need to use binoculars or a telescope in order to see Mercury.
Mercury is close to the horizon at sunset so it will be difficult, if not impossible, to see from northern latitudes. NASA states that the planet should be visible at mid-northern latitudes, and further south. The better your view, the longer the planet will stay in the sky after sunset, the closer you are to it. For example, in Miami, the sun sets at 7:32 p.m. ET, while Mercury sets around 8:40 p.m., local time.
Mercury is not visible tonight. You may be able to see Venus, which shines brightly to the south (left), and is higher in the sky. Venus will set in New York City at 8.48 p.m., but will remain above the horizon in Miami until 9.30 p.m.
This night sky calculator by Time and Date will help you determine exactly when the planets will rise or set in your area.
Send Hanneke Weitering an email at hweitering@space.com. Follow her @hannekescience. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @Spacedotcom
