Mercury and Mars almost "binocular-friendly"

Event Date: January 29th

Time: 6:00 PM

Brief

   Although we still have to wait until Mercury to get a little further from the Sun to start seeing it easily, we have another planet in the sky that we will beable to see very close to it in a little over a week: Mars, which is still north enough of the Sun to be visible in twilight sky until late February.  By then, Mars will be deep in atmospheric pollution when finally visible, and likely will be hard to see wit the eye.  Obstruction from houses and trees could be a problem, so try to view the pair from a location that allows you to see them set with no hills, buildings or trees in the way.

   Take a look below at the two planets.  Mars (+1.2) is a little more than 9º separated from Mercury (-1.1). 

click on image to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp.

Detailed

   Mars reached perihelion 5 dates ago, and now is slowly moving further from the Sun while still moving further from us.  However, as a result of slightly waxing each day, it will remain the same magnitude for several weeks.  Once it passes conjunction and very slowly emerges into visibility in the morning sky, Mars will continue to spend several months moving away from the Sun.  We will not see it easily visible until very late in the year, a few months from its opposition, although it will be dim as seen in summer and fall morning skies.  As for the pair getting closer, Mercury will be the brighter of the two by far, when they are seen separated enough from the Sun to see easily together.  Can you predict how close they will get and on what date, when comparing the ecliptic latitudes now?  Keep in mind that Mercury's latitude will change rapidly between now and inferior conjunction.  I purposely did not put the orbits in the image to make the prediction a little more challenging to make!