Planetary Events · October 12, 2026
Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best placed in the evening sky.
When it happens
Global reference time: October 12, 2026 at 10:03 UTC. Your local calendar date may differ.
The peak is not necessarily the best time to look from your location. Horizon, darkness, Moon position and weather determine the useful observing window.
What to expect
The event’s time is global, but the view depends on your location, the local horizon, darkness and weather.
Make it local
See the best time to look and whether clouds might get in the way. Local weather is usually available up to 16 days ahead.
Your network can suggest an approximate area; it may be wrong if you use a VPN. A city you choose is remembered in this tab until you close it. Precise location needs your browser’s permission and is never saved here. Your location stays out of share links and calendar downloads.
Choose a place for your local sky outlook.
Understand the moment
Elongation is the angle between a planet and the Sun in Earth’s sky. Mercury and Venus orbit inside Earth’s path, so their apparent separation from the Sun has a limit. Greatest elongation marks a maximum in that apparent separation.
Try it in the astronomy lab
Find Earth and Mercury in the inner-system view. With true distances selected, imagine sightlines from Earth to the Sun and to the planet; their angle is the elongation.
Opens . Each scene is an exact daily sample, without interpolation; it is separate from the catalog peak of 10:03 UTC.
How to read the scene: This is a geometric overhead view, not a local horizon chart. A noon UTC sample may miss the precise maximum, and evening or morning visibility depends on twilight and your latitude.
A little context. A better view.
Two objects can look close together from Earth while remaining far apart in space. Angular separation describes their apparent spacing, not their physical distance.
An outer planet at opposition lies opposite the Sun in our sky. It is generally well placed during the night; its altitude and your weather still shape the observing opportunity.
Greatest elongation can make Mercury or Venus easier to find in the evening or morning. A low horizon and local twilight conditions are important, even when the separation is large.
Some conjunctions occur close to the Sun. The event page preserves that distinction. Never sweep near the Sun with binoculars or a telescope to find a planet.
Learn more: NASA’s guide to observing the planets
Neptune lies opposite the Sun, rises near sunset, and is favorably placed for observing.
Saturn lies opposite the Sun, rises near sunset, and is favorably placed for observing.
Mars and Jupiter pass about 1.2° apart.
Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best placed in the morning sky.
Take the sky with you
Open the astronomy calendar in Forecast Bar to explore events alongside your local weather and astronomy alert settings.
