Starwatch: early risers can enjoy a Mercury morning

Copernicus never saw it, so the story goes, but here's your chance to chase the elusive planet

This coming week, there is a chance to spot the elusive inner planet Mercury in the morning sky. It will be tricky as the solar system's smallest planet will only appear low in the dawn sky before the sunrise washes it away.

The chart shows the view looking east from London at 0700 BST on 25 October. The sky will already be twilit and Mercury will be at its greatest distance from the sun.