The tiny planet Mercury stands 19° west of the Sun in the early-morning sky, located in Cancer near the Beehive Cluster.
This zoomed-in view shows Mercury’s position relative to the Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer about an hour before sunrise on August 19, 2025. You will need binoculars or a telescope to spot the cluster’s stars in the growing twilight. Credit: Stellarium
- Mercury achieves greatest western elongation (19° from the Sun) at 6 A.M. EDT, exhibiting a magnitude of 0 and appearing 5° above the eastern horizon one hour before sunrise; its illumination is 42%, and its apparent size is 7”.
- Mercury’s proximity to the Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer is noted, though observation may be challenging due to twilight conditions.
- Jupiter (magnitude –2) and Venus (magnitude –3.9), separated by 7°, are visible in Gemini, aligned with Delta Geminorum (magnitude 3.5). Optimal viewing is suggested 1.5 to 2 hours before sunrise.
- A waning crescent Moon (14% illumination) is positioned 7° above Jupiter.
Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation 19° from the Sun at 6 A.M. EDT. Now shining a bright magnitude 0, it stands 5° high in the east an hour before sunrise. The planet is now some 42 percent lit and 7” wide.
Mercury is located near central Cancer, just 2° south of M44, the Beehive Cluster, this morning. Although bright, the cluster will be difficult to spot in the encroaching twilight — if you observe from a relatively high elevation and have a clear eastern horizon, give them a try, using Mercury as a guide in binoculars or a telescope.
To Cancer’s upper right, Gemini the Twins is rising, dominated by bright Jupiter and Venus, now separated by 7° after their close conjunction last week. Jupiter shines at magnitude –2, while Venus shows off at magnitude –3.9. The two planets stand in line with the magnitude 3.5 star Delta (δ) Geminorum halfway between them this morning — check out the grouping 1.5 to 2 hours before sunrise, when the fainter star should still be visible before the sky begins to truly brighten.
Additionally, the crescent Moon now appears 7° above Jupiter this morning.
Sunrise: 6:16 A.M.
Sunset: 7:51 P.M.
Moonrise: 1:53 A.M.
Moonset: 5:59 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (14%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.
For a look ahead at more upcoming sky events, check out our full Sky This Week column.
