Mercury Making a Rare Trip. Here's How to Watch

It's currently making a transit across the sun
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 8, 2019 9:32 AM CST
Updated Nov 11, 2019 8:42 AM CST
Mercury Puts on Rare Show For Us Next Week
This composite image of observations by NASA and the ESA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows the path of Mercury during its November 2006 transit across the sun. It's happening again on Nov. 11, the last time for quite a while.   (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/NASA/ESA via AP)

Mercury is in the middle of a rare trip across the sun, and almost everyone in the US should be able to catch at least a glimpse—with modest gear and safety protections. The official term is a "transit," and Mercury showed up as a small black dot about 7:35EST and will work its way across the sun for five and a half hours, per Sky and Telescope. The planet will be at the midway point at 10:30EST and slip away at 1:04EST. Those watching will want to pay particular attention to the final moments. "Mercury will temporarily look as though it's anchored to the edge of the sun, forming a teardrop shape," per Smithsonian.

Need an incentive to check it out? Mercury makes only 13 or so transits a century, and while the most recent was in 2016, the next won't be visible from Earth until 2032. However, the next one visible from the US won't take place until 2049. Sky watchers won't see anything with the naked eye—and don't try because it's dangerous—so binoculars or telescopes are necessary. Sky and Telescope and Space.com have details on specs, and both emphasize the need for solar filters for protection. Also of note: Don't use those special glasses for solar eclipses, because they might actually make the danger worse in this case. The spectacle also will be visible at various places online, including at NASA and Slooh. (More Mercury stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X