CAA member Chuck Reinhart ventured out to spot planet Mercury as it reached its widest separation from the Sun, as seen from Earth.

“Thought I’d share some pics from the rare clear night on Saturday, Jan. 23 when Mercury was at its greatest E. Elongation from the Sun. Both images were taken from my backyard … which offers great views of virtually every horizon — depending upon where I journey on the five acres. I would have taken the C11 (telescope) out but it looked like clouds were creeping in pretty soon.”

This photo was “taken with a 70-210 mm lens mounted on a Nikon D600. The first image was taken @ 4/5 sec. f/9 , ISO 1000 set at 210mm at 6:25 p.m.”

As the days pass Mercury sinks nearer the Sun’s position in our skies, disappearing once again into our star’s brilliant light.