Unfortunately the Solar System’s innermost planet does not attract the large numbers of observers which the other planets enjoy, yet Mercury offers observers some exciting challenges uniquely its own.

Of all the naked eye planets it is most difficult to see, not because of any lack of brightness but rather because it always lies close to the Sun’s position in the sky.  This fact provides the single most important obstacle to the observer. Observations of Mercury are always difficult and challenging.  Mercury never appears in dark skies save when it hovers in the thick atmospheric layers near the horizon.  However, when it is high enough to benefit from more stable air, the sky is so bright that contrast is severely reduced.  Nevertheless, surface markings can be seen, making Mercury the only planet save Mars that offers such a possibility.

The ALPO’s Mercury Section undertakes the task of monitoring the planet telescopically, usually in the form of drawings submitted on the standardized form to the Mercury Coordinator.  In addition to this, a number of observers are experimenting with photography, videotaping and CCD imaging in order to determine if it is possible to image more than the planet’s phases. The Coordinator annually submits a report of the year’s Mercury observations to the ALPO’s journal — a report that includes a representative sampling of images and drawings received by the coordinator.  The drawing shown here represents what can be seen under the best circumstances, but often only the phase is detected.

Why not try the Mercury challenge with ALPO’s Mercury Section.  Use the form and send original drawings, photos or other images to the Mercury Coordinator