Mercury seen by astronomer

Press, 31 January 1984, Page 9

Mercury seen by astronomer

An “astronomer’s delight” was visible in the eastern sky early yesterday morning, according to a Christchurch man, Mr Raymond Robbie. Mr Robbie, a keen amateur astronomer for many years, happened to look out of the bedroom window of his Wainoni home about 5 a.m.

He was able to see the planet Mercury, which is very rarely seen with the naked eye, in close conjunction with Venus and the Moon.

Also close by in the east were the constellation, Scorpio, and the planets Mars

and Saturn. "All in all it was an astronomer's delight,” said Mr Robbie. He had been told yesterday by the supervisor of the 'Canterbury Museum’s planetarium. Mr J. E. Coxon, who is also a noted Christchurch astronomer, that many astronomers had never seen Mercury. When the hottest of the nine planets did rise above the horizon, it was quickly lost in the glare of the rising sun. “Apart from that, not many people are up at that time of day,” said Mr Robbie.