June 20-23, 2025: Look for Mercury after sunset. Use a binocular to spot the speedy planet in bright evening twilight.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Mercury after Sunset
Mercury is making its second of three evening appearances for the year. With longer twilight, the planet shines through the bright phase of evening’s light. A binocular is needed to see it.
During the four nights highlighted here, the planet is brighter than all the stars at this hour, but it is nearly veiled by the bright light after sunset. It is brighter as it leaves superior conjunction on the sun’s far side than it is after it appears farthest from the sun at greatest elongation on July 4th.
Mercury is rarely visible after the end of evening twilight, over two hours long at the mid-northern latitudes at this season, and never at midnight. It sets about 90 minutes after nightfall.
How to see Mercury
Find a clear view toward the west-northwest, free from obstructions. A clear view of a natural horizon is best. Use a binocular to see the planet less than 10° above the horizon.
Hold the binocular so that the bottom of the field is slightly above the horizon and slowly move the binocular horizontally. Move it slowly back and forth along the horizon. Multiple attempts might be necessary. The planet appears near the top of the field. Sometimes Mercury is easier to initially locate when the binocular is moving.
Mercury can be found an hour after sundown, when the sky is darker, though it is lower in the sky.
While Mercury is bright, find it after sunset in the west-northwest.
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