Mercury

Latest about Mercury

Mercury crossed the face of the sun on May 9, 2016 during a rare transit that delighted skywatchers around the world. This image is a composite view of Mercury during the 7.5 hour event as seen by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory during the event.

Mercury Transit 2019: Here's Why This Celestial Event Is So Rare

By Joe Rao last updated

On Monday, Nov. 11, a most unusual event will take place: the transit (passage) of the planet Mercury across the sun's disk.

Mercury
The sun rises behind midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City. On the morning of Nov. 11, 2019, Mercury will transit the rising sun.

A Mercury Transit for the Ages: November 1973

By Joe Rao published

In my long career as an assiduous amateur astronomer, I've seen other transits of Mercury, but one from November 1973 stands out.

Mercury
Boyertown Area High School astronomy teacher Peter Detterline prepares high powered binoculars with a solar filter so that his students may view the planet Mercury as it transits across the face of the sun, on May 9, 2016.

Mercury Transit 2019: How to Find an Event Near You

By Elizabeth Howell published

If you want to watch the Mercury transit on Monday (Nov. 11) but don't have the proper equipment, you can still find a viewing event near you. Here's how.

Mercury
A student uses his smartphone and a photographers lens with a solar filter to capture a photo of the planet Mercury transiting the sun on May 9, 2016.

Mercury Transit on Monday: The Gear You Need to Watch It Safely

By Elizabeth Howell, Hanneke Weitering last updated

The Mercury transit on Nov. 11 will be accessible to amateur astronomers, as long as they have the right equipment to view it safely.

Mercury
This NASA graphic depicts the time and location of Mercury as it crosses the face of the sun during the May 9, 2016 Transit of Mercury event.

NASA Satellites to Beam Back Images of Rare Mercury Transit in Real-Time

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Even if you can't find a solar telescope to watch the Mercury transit on Monday (May 9), you don't have to miss the action.

Mercury
The timeline for the 2016 Mercury transit

The Mercury Transit of the Sun on Monday is a Science Smorgasbord

By Nola Taylor Tillman last updated

When Mercury crosses the sun on Monday, it will open up a wealth of scientific opportunity for telescopes on Earth and in space.

Mercury
The dark disk of Mercury passes in front of the disk of the sun, as seen by the New Solar Telescope at the Big Bear Solar Observatory.

See the Sharpest-Ever View of Mercury's Transit Across the Sun

By Calla Cofield last updated

A new video shows the highest- spatial- resolution view of Mercury migrating across the surface of the sun. The images were captured by the New Solar Telescope in California, on May 9.

Mercury
Dot of Mercury in front of the sun

The Transit of Mercury Across the Sun's Face Has Begun: First Videos

By Tariq Malik last updated

The planet Mercury is making its way across the face of the sun (as seen from Earth) in a rare transit event today (May 9). See our first video of the sight from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Mercury
Mercury Transits the Sun, November 2006

Mercury Transit of the Sun: Why Is It So Rare?

By Mike Wall last updated

Mercury
The silhouette of Mercury dotting along the sun

Transit of Mercury 2016: Full Coverage of the May 9 Event

By Space.com Staff last updated

Mercury will cross the sun's face next Monday (May 9) in a rare "transit" that will be visible from most places on Earth, weather permitting. Read all about the skywatching event here.

Mercury
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