Often overshadowed by its more brilliant planetary neighbors, Mercury offers a rewarding challenge for those willing to chase it during its fleeting appearances in the twilight. As the closest planet to the Sun, Mercury never strays far from its glare, making it one of the most elusive planets to spot. But with the right timing, patience, and preparation, 2025 offers some excellent opportunities to observe the solar system’s smallest and fastest-moving planet.

Mercury: A Small but Mighty Wonder

Mercury’s proximity to the Sun gives it a unique role in the solar system, and its rapid 88-day orbit earns it the nickname of the “Winged Messenger,” after the swift Roman god. While its surface appears barren and cratered, resembling the Moon, Mercury’s unique characteristics make it a fascinating target for stargazers and scientists alike.

Key Dates for Mercury in 2025

Mercury makes several notable appearances in the evening and morning skies this year, with elongations and conjunctions that highlight its dynamic journey across our skies:

• February 24-25: Mercury pairs with Saturn in the evening sky, a fleeting conjunction visible shortly after sunset. Learn more about Saturn here.
• February 28 – March 1: A waxing crescent Moon joins Mercury and Venus in a breathtaking trio. Discover more about Venus’s brilliance here.
• March 7: Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation, making it easier to spot in the evening sky.
• April 21: Mercury achieves its greatest western elongation, a prime opportunity to see it in the predawn twilight.
• June 26: The waxing crescent Moon aligns with Mercury in the evening sky, offering one of the year’s best chances to see the elusive planet.
• December 7: Mercury makes its final elongation of the year, shining in the morning sky just before dawn.

Understanding Mercury’s Movements

Mercury’s orbit brings it closer to the Sun than any other planet, and its appearances in the sky are brief but impactful. Because it never strays more than about 28 degrees from the Sun, Mercury is best viewed during twilight—either just after sunset or shortly before sunrise—when its proximity to the horizon allows it to shine against a darkening or lightening sky.

Observing Mercury’s Phases

Just like Venus and the moon, Mercury goes through phases as it orbits between Earth and the Sun. With binoculars or a telescope, you can observe these phases, from a tiny crescent to a full disk, depending on Mercury’s position relative to Earth and the Sun. Mercury is particularly intriguing during its elongations when it appears higher in the sky and is easier to spot.

Mercury’s Dance with Venus, Saturn, and the Moon

Mercury’s frequent conjunctions and alignments with other celestial objects make it a dynamic and rewarding planet to track:

• February 24-25: Mercury and Saturn share the evening sky, with Venus shining brilliantly above them.
• April 6-14: Mercury, Venus, and Saturn cluster in the predawn sky, creating a stunning planetary trio.
• June 26: Mercury and the waxing crescent Moon create a striking pairing in the evening sky.
• August 19-21: Mercury joins Venus and Jupiter in a dazzling conjunction in the morning twilight.

These alignments provide excellent opportunities for binocular and telescope observations and are fantastic moments for astrophotography.

Ruth Asawa Crater: Celebrating Art and Diversity on Mercury

In January 2025, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced that a 130-kilometer-wide crater on Mercury had been named for Ruth Asawa, the celebrated Japanese-American sculptor known for her intricate wire sculptures and contributions to arts education. This decision adds Asawa to an exclusive list of fewer than 30 planetary features named after female artists, underscoring a growing effort to increase representation in celestial naming conventions.

Dr. Rita Schulz, chair of the IAU’s Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature, explained in an interview with Observer that Asawa was one of eight female artists nominated for the honor. Her “otherworldly” art and legacy as a trailblazer in the creative world made her an ideal candidate.

You can explore the Observer interview with Dr. Schulz for more on the fascinating process behind planetary naming here.

Witness Mercury with AstroTours

Want to see Mercury up close and learn more about its role in the cosmos? Book an AstroTour to join expert guides and high-powered telescopes as we bring the mysteries of this speedy planet into view.

Continue your journey through the planets by exploring Venus, the Brilliant Beacon of the Night Sky or learn about Saturn, the “Jewel of the Solar System.”

Stay tuned for more celestial insights as we explore the wonders of the universe!