dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd) (01/17/85)
Look for Mercury and the old moon Friday or Saturday morning. More -- right after this. January 17 Mercury and the Moon Mercury was higher in the sky earlier in the month -- but you might be able to see it tomorrow morning since it'll be near in the sky to the waning crescent moon. Mercury and the moon will be visible in the east shortly before the sun comes up. The moon will be a very slim crescent -- a waning moon -- called an old moon by stargazers because it's about to start rising at the same time as the sun -- soon to be invisible in the sun's glare. Mercury and the moon will be just a little bit above the horizon before sunup on Friday or Saturday morning. On Friday, the moon will be a little higher in the sky -- and easier to see. In fact, you'll have to look closely to see the old moon on Saturday -- although if you do see it, you'll be seeing something special -- maybe the slimmest crescent moon you've ever seen. Mercury is below and to the left of the moon on Friday -- and just above the moon Saturday morning. It's not remarkable to look at -- but it's true that very few people ever see Mercury. The planet is fairly bright -- but bobs in and out of the sun's glare so rapidly, it's hard to catch sight of it. So that's the planet Mercury and the old moon -- visible near each other in the east before dawn Friday or Saturday morning. Script by Deborah Byrd. (c) Copyright 1984, 1985 McDonald Observatory, University of Texas at Austin