TONIGHT! You can see the planet Mercury (Copernicus never did)

[underpants]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/science/20050309-9999-1c09star.html

Yet legend has it that Copernicus saw only four of these planets, and that he never actually spotted the closest planet to the sun: Mercury.

Whether or not Copernicus ever saw this elusive world, we certainly can. In fact, this week marks our best chance this year to spot it.

To find it, head outdoors after sunset and begin scanning the western sky; you might find that binoculars makes your job bit easier in the waning light of dusk. You should spot Mercury as a bright, flickering "star" only a few degrees above the horizon.

Around half an hour after sunset, you should be able to see it with the unaided eye. On Friday March 11, the thin crescent moon will lie just to its upper left.

[Richardo]

1. Boss!

I'm going to beat the crowd and look for it a lunchtime!! :dunce:

[underpants]

2. I want to get a front row seat

To look west

[Arugula Latte]

12. "Boss" -- ha! That takes me right back.

As in "Donny Osmond -- he's so boss!"

[Richardo]

15. My mission: resurrect as much mid 60s elementary school slang as possible

Like: "Boss!" and "What a BURN!" :D

[havocmom]

3. Keep up with what's happening in a sky near you!

check out:
http://spaceweather.com/

You can sign up for email (and phone) alerts when something cool is going on, solar flares, there is even a picture gallery. It is a cool site. Bring the kids!

[Sporadicus]

4. I've Only Seen Mercury Once in My Lifetime

It was in Key West at the Duval Street pier - a daily gathering place for sunset worshipers. I remained after the sun had completely disappeared over the horizon and a couple minutes later saw a 'star' that remained visible for maybe ten minutes max. I knew it wasn't Venus, which I could see in another part of the sky, so figured it must be Mercury.

Saw some dolphins just before leaving the pier, topping off an excellent sunset excursion.

[underpants]

6. A rainy day in Kew West beats the hell out of a sunny day anywhere else

THAT sounds like a really good sunset experience

[Sporadicus]

10. Very True

a rainy day in Key West is no biggie anyway, since it'll probably end a half-hour later. Seems like we'd get a storm every day 'round 3:00 - rain like a sumbitch and go away as quick as it arrived.

[democracyindanger]

5. INSERT URANUS JOKE HERE

[Blue-Jay]

8. It's not healthy to insert things in Uranus.

[democracyindanger]

9. Well played, suh

:P

[MissMillie]

7. I'm thinking with this cloudy sky...

... probably not so much.

bummer.

[underpants]

13. Oh yeah it's going to start raining soon

BUMMER!

[InvisibleTouch]

11. No view of the horizon here.

Damn, I hate the city. :(

[politicat]

14. Thanks!! We were trying to figure out what we were going to do tonight!

Nothing else sounded appealing, so I think we'll head up the hills and get out of the light pollution after Mr. Pcat gets off work.

[underpants]

16. Sounds great

Yaaaaaaaay!! oops wrong thread