Mercury is at easternmost elongation,
But, as shown in the comparative graph of Mercury’s morning and evening performances in this and adjacent years, on page 104 of Astronomical Calendar 2026, this is one of the cases where the elusive little planet’s long leap outward from the Sun is at a favorable angle for south-hemisphere observers and very unfavorable for us in the north. Mercury is brighter than most first-magnitude stars, but is down at the horizon before the sky has darkened.
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Thanks, Guy. The comparison graph on page 104 makes it clear why this apparition favors the southern hemisphere, with Mercury already down at the horizon before the sky darkens for us in the north. A bright planet low in twilight is also one of the most common sources of “strange light” reports we see. We’ve been writing plain-language articles on telling planets, satellites and meteors apart from genuine unknowns, for anyone who wants them: https://paranormaldepartment.com/space-anomaly/articles/
Seeing Mercury is difficult at these low angle apparitions, but getting a picture is more difficult unless you use a telephoto lens. I tried to create an illustration of the different views of Mercury from my latitude in Virginia and that of 35 deg South (Buenos Aires or Montevideo):
http://www.starvergnuegen.com/astropix/2026/10_oct/2026_10_13_mercury_55_hover.html
That is gorgeous, Eric!
Here at 38 degrees north latitude, I have seen Mercury during the current apparition through binoculars shortly after sunset only three times, including Mercury’s October 6 conjunction with Venus.