How can you see Mercury with a telescope?

For viewing in the morning, you need to be facing the eastern horizon with a clear view. Try and see the planet an hour or so before sunrise. Although Mercury can shine brightly, the glow of dawn quickly overwhelms it. The angle of the ecliptic has a huge influence on how high above the horizon little Mercury rises.

What magnification do you need to see Mercury?

200 to 250x
The crescent phases of Mercury can be seen in telescopes as small as 50 mm in aperture, while a 75 mm telescope will allow you to detect all phases of the planet. To see surface detail on the planet, a magnification of at least 200 to 250x is recommended.

What is the least known planet?

Scientists have found the smallest known planet — smaller than Mercury, the smallest planet in Earth’s solar system.

Can I see Mercury at night?

To find Mercury, look west just after sunset. “Mercury will only ever be in our sky for a little more than an hour or so after sunset before it sets. Mercury is going to be about as bright as a fainter star.” Chris tells us that you can use the moon and Venus to help find Mercury.

Can you see Mercury and Venus through a telescope?

Mercury and Venus. Through an average home telescope, Mercury and Venus can be seen, and you can see their phases (planets, just like our moon, go through phases where they show as a crescent shape). Through a deep blue filter, you can even see hints of the cloud cover on Venus.

What does Mercury look like from a telescope?

Much like Venus, Mercury isn’t really anything to look at, if your telescope is powerful and allows you to observe the surface of the planet, it won’t look too different from the moon where you’ll be able to notice craters, the grey colour of the planet etc.

What are the planets that can be seen through a telescope?

Mercury and Venus. Through an average home telescope, Mercury and Venus can be seen, and you can see their phases (planets, just like our moon, go through phases where they show as a crescent shape).

Is it possible to see the Moon through a telescope?

The Moon is in synchronous rotation with Earth meaning the same side is always facing the Earth. Find out how you can observe the Moon through a telescope. This planet is among the most difficult to observe as it does not deviate much from the Sun and is often low on the horizon.