EarthSky News - Jan 17 - Mercury, Asteroid Vesta, Mars

January 17 Mercury, Asteroid Vesta, Mars by:

Before dawn … Spot elusive Mercury Mercury is now nearly at its farthest from the sun on our sky's dome for this morning apparition. Watch for it! Vesta, brightest asteroid, brightest for 2017 If you've never spotted an asteroid, now would be a good time to try. Vesta's 2017 opposition is around now. Guy Ottewell provides charts and explains more. 2017 is a lousy year for Mars, but wait! Throughout 2017, Mars will appear as a faint and inconspicuous reddish star in our sky. But wait until 2018, when Mars will come closer to Earth than it has since 2003. Dates of lunar and solar eclipses in 2017 Dates of all solar and lunar eclipses this year, plus a preview of the great American total solar eclipse of 2017.

EarthSky 2017 moon calendar almost sold out! Best New Year's gift ever! Purchase one before it's too late. Your support means the world to us.

Before dawn … Moon moves past Jupiter The moon swings by the planet Jupiter and the star Spica on the mornings of January 18, 19 and 20.

Before dawn … Spot elusive Mercury An imaginary line from Jupiter through Saturn points toward Mercury near the horizon. Submit your photo to EarthSky here!

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