In a rare celestial event, Mercury, the smallest planet in our solar system, will be visible in the evening sky tonight. Known for its elusive nature due to its proximity to the sun, this sighting is a treat for skywatchers.

Mercury will reach its "greatest elongation east" tonight, appearing 27 degrees east of the sun as seen from Earth. Just after sunset, observers can look towards the west to catch a glimpse of a reddish dot above the horizon. It will be situated about 14 degrees from the sun and will shine at magnitude +0.5.

Accompanying Mercury in the evening sky will be the star Regulus, in the constellation Leo, shining at magnitude +2.3. However, Venus, another planet visible in the same area, may be difficult to spot due to the horizon's haze, despite its brighter magnitude of -3.9.

For those who prefer stargazing in the late hours, the waning gibbous moon will rise in the east-southeast around midnight, alongside the planet Saturn, which will shine at magnitude +0.8. While Saturn's iconic rings won't be visible to the naked eye, its yellowish disk will be easily identifiable.

The moon's position against the background stars and planets may vary depending on your location. In North America and Europe, the moon will closely align with Saturn, rising after midnight. However, in certain parts of Asia and Africa, the moon will apparently occult Saturn, briefly hiding it from view.

As the night progresses, Venus will sink into the horizon, while Mercury, shining relatively brightly at +0.6 magnitude, will also fade into the sun's glare in the coming evenings. It is advised to observe these celestial phenomena soon to not miss out on this unique celestial lineup.

In addition to these specific sightings, this week presents an excellent opportunity to spot the Northern Crown (Corona Borealis). By looking west after dark, observers can find the bright star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. Between Arcturus and the constellation Lyra's brightest star, Vega, lies a curve of seven stars forming the Northern Crown. This constellation will become particularly noteworthy later in the year when T Coronae Borealis, a dim "nova" star near the curve, partially explodes and becomes visible to the naked eye.

For avid skywatchers, the coming week will provide ideal conditions for stargazing, as the moon's half-lit phase will prevent excessive moonlight interference during the early evening hours.

In the realm of meteor showers, the annual Southern Delta-Aquariids meteor shower has been active since mid-July and will continue through late August. While there is no specific night for peak activity, looking around midnight from now until Tuesday, July 30, will offer good chances of spotting these shooting stars. The best viewing conditions will be in the Southern Hemisphere and the southern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, where the Aquarius constellation is at its highest in the sky.

For those interested in capturing these celestial events with a camera, a detailed guide on astrophotography for beginners is available. Additionally, resources on the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography are also provided.

As the night sky continues to captivate and inspire, Jamie Carter, an experienced science, technology, and travel journalist, and avid stargazer, regularly shares his expertise on exploring the celestial wonders. With his ability to explain complex concepts in plain English, Jamie has authored books such as "Stargazing in 2024" and "A Stargazing Program for Beginners," making him a leading voice in the field.

Space enthusiasts are encouraged to share their own skywatching photos by sending them along with their comments, name, and location to spacephotos@space.com. Engage in discussions about space missions, the night sky, and more via the Space Forums, and provide news tips, corrections, or comments to community@space.com.

So, prepare to witness the rare sighting of Mercury in the evening sky tonight and explore the wonders of the night sky in the coming week. Happy stargazing!