Mercury Chases the Sunset

This colorful view of the western sky at sunset features last Wednesday's
slender crescent Moon. Of course, whenthe Moon is in its crescent phase
it can never be far from Sun in the sky. Also always close to the Sun in
Earth's sky is innermost planet Mercury, seen here below and right of
center against the bright orange glow along the horizon. Mercury is
usually difficult to glimpse because of the overwhelming sunlight, but
increasingly better views of the small planet near sunset will be
possible as it wanders farther east of the Sunin the coming days. On
January 14th, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft will have a good view
too,as it makes its first Mercury flyby.