An astronomical prediction

https://www.theplanetstoday.com/

https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data...current_c3.gif

When does Mercury enter the time lapse moving quicker than the background stars and in front of the Sun ?.


It was originally the 'retrograde' part of its direct/retrograde motion but is really a normal consequence of a circuit around the Sun. Have fun for a change.

It appears that Mercury has come into view heading in front of the Sun today -

https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data...current_c3.gif

It will be seen moving faster than the stars using the stationary Sun as a central reference insofar as the change in position of the background stars to the central Sun, due solely to the orbital motion of the Earth, contrasts with the faster motion of the Mercury just as the ancient astronomers named that planet for its swift motion.

It gives such an intimate perspective of the solar system as though planetary transits are no longer a rare event but their transition from left to right and in front of the Sun along with the new perspective from right to left and behind the Sun are as seamless and observable as Jupiter's satellites around their parent planet.

It is wonderful to see that Mercury is far brighter when it moves from right to left and behind the Sun due to the fact that its fully illuminated face is seen from the slower moving Earth whereas its dark side appears to us as it moves in front of the Sun and from left to right showing a less dazzling view -

https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data...current_c3.gif

In an inspirational atmosphere it is easy to forget that people act with less than kindness and goodness knows the world needs something that reminds us that people need more understanding of their solar system surroundings using instruments like the one above to explain and express just how lively our celestial neighbourhood is.

Last month the thread involved showing Mercury move in direct motion and opposite the motion of the background stars using the central Sun as a reference for both, after all, the change in position of the stars is due to the orbital motion of the Earth -

https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data...current_c3.gif

https://www.theplanetstoday.com/


Towards the middle to end of August, both Mercury and Venus will pass behind the Sun along with Mars further from the Earth which can only be in direct motion within this framework whereas Venus and Mercury move in both direct/retrograde motion.

This is the ladder for observational astronomers to climb up and theoretical researchers to climb down otherwise what is the point of calling it astronomy if something so delightful and made possible by 21st century spaceflight is ignored for celestial sphere concerns.

As Mercury continues its journey (in retrograde motion) it fades to such an extent that it becomes almost imperceptible from the background stars as the planet's fully illuminated side faces the Sun as it transitions from left to right in front of the Sun -

https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data...current_c3.gif