Trio: Mercury, Jupiter & Saturn - 2021 JAN 09-10

[CentaurZ]

Mercury, Jupiter & Saturn will form a tight trio in the early evening southwestern sky during the weekend of 2021 JAN 09-10.

Photos and descriptions of the grouping would be welcome additions to my similar thread in the forum for Observing-Planetary.

 

Edited January 7, 2021 by CentaurZ

[Pete Presland]

Certainly been plenty to see in that area of the sky recently.

[maw lod qan]

This evening Jupiter was visible in the glow of the evening sky, but Mercury and Saturn were below the trees on my horizon.

I'll try again tomorrow.

[DaveL59]

Got an email from Celestron just now about Mercury greatest elongation
The Ultimate Guide to Observing Mercury | Celestron

extract:

Evening: January 10 to January 31

On January 10, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn will come close together for a rare triple conjunction event and form a small triangle low in the southwestern sky. Look 30 to 45 minutes after sunset. Binoculars will help.

On January 24, Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 18.6 degrees from the Sun. This is an ideal time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky.

Morning: from February 28 to March 20
On March 6, the planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27.3 degrees from the Sun! This is a great time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for Mercury low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. Note: On the morning of March 5 prior to sunrise, Mercury will appear just to the left of Jupiter. Binoculars will help.

Evening: from May 3 to May 24
On May 17, Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 22 degrees from the Sun. This is an ideal time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for Mercury low in the western sky just after sunset.

Morning: from June 27 to July 16
On July 4, Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 21.6 degrees from the Sun. This is an ideal time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for Mercury low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

Evening: from August 31 to September 21
On September 14, Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 26.8 degrees from the Sun! This is a great time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for Mercury low in the western sky just after sunset.

Morning: from October 18 to November 1
On October 25, Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 18.4 degrees from the Sun. This is an ideal time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for Mercury low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.