Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
On April 29th, Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Use astronomy binoculars to view the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
On April 29th, Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Use astronomy binoculars to view the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
April’s Deep Sky Challenge: M87 in the Virgo Galaxy Cluster
If you’re up for the challenge, try to view M87 as high in the sky as possible, and use as much magnification as the conditions permit. Look for a short streak of light emanating from the core, slightly brighter than the surrounding haze. The key to this challenge is finding the right viewing condition. When trying on different nights, note the visibility of the stellar core – this is a good indicator of the quality of the night and the suitability of a particular eyepiece.