Witness the captivating sight of the summer Milky Way over the serene prairie pond in southern Alberta.
Experience the rare appearance of the planet Mercury as it graces the post-sunset sky this week, delighting those who rarely have the opportunity to observe it. In a unique occurrence, Mercury will be visible at a distance from our star, the sun, where it won’t be completely overshadowed by its glare.
On Friday, July 28, 2023, you have yet another reason to grab a pair of binoculars and gaze at the western horizon after sunset. During this time, Mercury will come astonishingly close, just one-tenth of a degree away, to the brilliant star Regulus in the constellation Leo. The renowned Adler Planetarium confirms this incredible celestial event.
To optimize your viewing experience, seek out an open expanse or head to the coastline where your view towards the west-northwest horizon is unobstructed. Look for the dazzling planet Venus hovering above, and just above it, you’ll find your ultimate targets—Mercury alongside Regulus. Binoculars might be helpful to observe these celestial wonders.
Regulus, the brightest star in Leo and the 21st brightest star in the night sky, derives its name from Latin, meaning ‘little king’ or ‘prince.’ However, despite its appearance as a single point of light, Regulus is actually a quadruple star system, consisting of four stars. It resides approximately 79 light-years away from our solar system.
Currently, this stunning star is on the brink of disappearing into the overwhelming radiance of the sun. It won’t grace the night sky again until early 2024.
Mercury, which we recently explored through the BepiColumbo mission in June, completes an orbit around the sun every 88 days. Consequently, it perpetually remains in Earth’s daytime sky but is mostly concealed by the sun’s radiant glare. Only on select occasions, based on Earth’s position in its orbital path, does it venture far enough from the sun to become visible in the early evening or pre-dawn morning sky.
According to NASA, if we were on the surface of Mercury, the sun would appear more than three times larger compared to our perspective on Earth.
May your evenings be blessed with clear skies and endless wonder.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
