The best times to view planet Mercury will be on Jan. 24 (Eastern Elongation), March 6 (Western Elongation), May 17 (Eastern Elongation), July 4 (Western Elongation), Sept. 14 (Eastern Elongation), and Oct. 25 (Western Elongation). Reaching its greatest elongations either towards the east or west, Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky on eastern elongations, and in the morning sky on western ones. Either way, it's a great idea to grab your telescope on these days, and get a look at the closest planet to the sun.