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■ Deep-Sky
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This short slide show demonstrates how easy it is to plan planet observations

These slides demonstrate planning to view Mercury at its best in the evening during the year - during greatest eastern elongation from the sun.

First, find the date of greatest eastern elongation for Mercury that also has the greatest elongation angle from the sun.  The Planet Events Report provides this information easily.

Second, use the Brief Planet Ephemeris Report to calculate an ephemeris of Mercury for evenings over a 2 week period centered on the date of greatest elongation.  Hopefully weather will permit observing sometime during this period.  Notice how much Mercury moves day to day over this period, and how the elongation angle from the sun varies.

Third, print the report for reference.