Best view
Low twilight sky during favorable elongations.
Planet guide
Mercury Tonight: How to Find It Near the Horizon
Mercury is the hardest bright planet to catch because it never appears far from the Sun. The best chances are short windows low in twilight.
Quick facts
Use these cues first, then confirm the pattern in the AR viewer.
Visual cue
Small steady point close to the horizon.
AR note
Location and time are critical because Mercury moves quickly.
Why Mercury is difficult
Mercury orbits close to the Sun, so it is usually hidden in glare or very low after sunset or before sunrise.
When to look
Look during favorable evening or morning elongations. A clear, flat horizon matters more for Mercury than for most other planets.
Use AR safely
Use the AR viewer only when the Sun is safely below the horizon or blocked. Never search near the Sun through a camera or optical device.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers for common skywatching questions before opening the AR viewer.
Why can’t I see Mercury every night?
Mercury stays close to the Sun from our viewpoint, so it is often hidden by daylight or twilight glare.
Can AR identify Mercury?
AR can show the expected direction after you provide location and time, but you still need a clear horizon and safe observing conditions.
Related sky guides
Use these pages to move from reading into the AR viewer with better context.
Open AR to find Mercury
Use the browser sky map to compare Mercury with the real sky from your location.