Sky Event #8

Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation

If you're living in the Northern Hemisphere and have never seen the planet Mercury before, there is going to be a golden opportunity to see this planet in tonight's sky. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, your best viewing of Mercury will be in October this year.

Why is sighting Mercury usually difficult? Mercury is the innermost planet in our solar system, orbiting the sun inside of Earth's orbit. As a result, Mercury is usually lost in the glare of the sun. But this evening, Mercury will reach its greatest elongation (maximum angular separation from the sun) at 18 degrees east of the setting sun. 

Mercury is also very bright right now. In fact it will shine more brightly in tonight's sky than even the magnitude 1 stars like Spica and Antares.

To see it, go out this evening at just after sunset. Mercury will visually follow the sun down setting about 1 hour after the sun.

Mercury will continue to show itself in the Northern Hemisphere from now through March, shining each evening just after sunset. But, with the greatest elongation being tonight, you won't want to wait. Go out and sight it!

In my January 18 blog on "The Original Seven Parts of our Solar System", I explained that Mercury was anciently known as Kokah, which means "star" in Hebrew.

In this shining "star" lies a higher Calling which Yahweh desires each of us to heed. It's the Calling to shine as the stars...  as Kokah... for Him. The Father's Message in Kokah is found in Daniel chapter 12:

Daniel 12:3  "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."

As we enjoy the special view of Kokah tonight, may we all heed the Father's Call and be among His wise ones, who shine brightly for Him as Kokah does tonight.

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For more information about the Mazzaroth (God's constellation tapestry) and His Messages in the 48 original constellations, request your own copy of Shauna Manfredine's book, God's Amazing Star Secret (book trailer).

Turn your Church or Venue into a Planetarium for a Night (or Weekend)! Now you can share God's Amazing Star Secrets with your whole family, church, or gathering! Request Shauna Manfredine to give her inspiring and well-researched, planetarium-style God's Amazing Star Secrets presentation. 

In her presentation(s), Shauna shows the meaning of Psalm 19:1-4 and the original names of the stars based upon earth's first recorded language(s). She shows archaeological evidence of the original constellations and the amazing connection between the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 primary constellations. And she explains the Plan of Redemption in the original star and constellation names. More information...