Mercury Setting 4th and 7-10th April.
Mercury has been appearing near the horizon since the beginning of April but being close to the Sun has been very difficult to see from the Southern Hemisphere. It was approaching maximum elongation which it reached on April 11th. The elusive planet has been particularly difficult to see from Mutare due to daily volcanic sunsets producing brightly coloured twilight arches and crepuscular rays which have not been retreating and fading sufficiently for it to become clearly visible before disappearing below the local horizon. On the 4th its location was determined by careful examination and enhancement of a panoramic view. From the 7th to 10th it was tracked from first appearance in fading sunset glow until it set behind trees in four advancing views along a ridge to the north of Christmas Pass.

Tripod-mounted Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 in sunset and manual exposure modes

Compilation of montage consisting of a panoramic view taken on 4th April and advancing treetop views taken on four consecutive days from 7th-10th.