You learned about the planets in grade school and know that Mercury is the closest to the sun, but if you were anything like me, you figured you would never see that or any other planet in your lifetime. False! In fact, this year alone, you can spot Mercury a whopping 3 times with your naked eye! Here’s how you can view Mercury with the naked eye in Colorado in 2023:
Mark your calendars, as January 30th, May 29th, and September 22nd are slated to be the 2023 dates for Mercury's best viewability in the western hemisphere!
As per Sea and Sky, Mercury will be at or near 25 degrees from the sun on each of these dates, meaning it is "at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky."
While the peak days will be on January 30th, May 29th, and September 22nd, you may still be able to see Mercury before and after these days, with viewings slated to begin in the middle of each month.