Mercury to reach greatest western elongation, best viewed before dawn Sunday

The Jeddah Astronomy Society has announced that Mercury will reach its greatest western elongation before dawn on Sunday, August 2, 2026, marking the best opportunity to observe the planet in the morning sky. Mercury will appear low above the eastern horizon just before sunrise, positioned about 19 degrees away from the Sun.

In a statement posted on its X platform account, the society explained that the ideal time to view Mercury is 45 to 60 minutes before sunrise. It advised choosing a location with an unobstructed eastern horizon to ensure the best possible view of this astronomical event.

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