Mercury's greatest eastern elongation February 2026: All you need to know

Mercury will be best visible in the evening sky around its greatest eastern elongation on February 19, 2026.

Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation in February 2026

Position of Mercury in the western evening sky in early February 2026 as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. (Image credit: Stellarium)

Position of Mercury in the western evening sky in mid-February 2026 as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. (Image credit: Stellarium)

Moment of greatest elongation: Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation on February 19, 2026, at 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. EST). At that time, the planet will be 18.1°E from the sun.

When to see: Mercury will be visible in the evening sky from early February to late February 2026.

Thereafter, Mercury will rapidly approach the sunset glare as it moves toward its inferior conjunction between the sun and Earth on March 7, 2026.

Where to look: Look above the western horizon shortly after sunset. Mercury will appear much lower than Saturn.

Visibility throughout the globe: Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation in February 2026 will favor observers in the Northern Hemisphere.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Mercury will appear higher in the sky after sunset because of the steeper angle of the ecliptic, making the planet easier to observe.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Mercury will appear very low in the sky after sunset and will be difficult to observe in the bright evening twilight.

Position of Mercury in the western evening sky in mid-February 2026 as viewed from the Southern Hemisphere. (Image credit: Stellarium)

Visibility through a telescope: Mercury will appear 49% illuminated (nearly in its third quarter phase) and 7.2 arcseconds in diameter at its greatest eastern elongation.

Thereafter, Mercury will appear thinner and larger each day until it reaches its inferior conjunction.

Brightness of Mercury: After emerging in the evening sky in early February, Mercury’s brightness will rapidly decrease until it reaches its inferior conjunction (i.e., its new phase) on March 7, 2026, when the illuminated side of the planet (i.e., the day side) completely turns away from us.

What does “Mercury at greatest eastern elongation” mean?

Elongation means the angular distance from the sun. Mercury at eastern elongation means it is east of the sun in our sky, so it rises after sunrise and sets after sunset.

Mercury at greatest eastern elongation means it is farthest east from the sun in our sky, so it sets as late after sunset as possible. This marks the best time to see the planet in the evening sky.

Around its greatest eastern elongation, which occurs once every 3 to 4 months, Mercury is visible in the evening sky for only 2 to 3 weeks.

Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation in 2026

Here are the dates of Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation in 2026:

Date (UTC)	Elongation	Visibility
February 19, 2026	18.1°E	Favourable from the Northern Hemisphere
June 15, 2026	24.5°E	Favourable from the Northern Hemisphere
October 12, 2026	25.2°E	Favourable from the Southern Hemisphere

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