Mercury Setting in Fading Volcanic Sunset.
On Tuesday 26th March, two days after maximum elongation from the Sun, Mercury was photographed with difficulty setting behind Christmas Pass after emerging from under cloud in fading volcanic sunset twilight. At no time was the planet visible to the naked eye but was captured by taking pictures at intervals with a tripod-mounted camera pointed in the direction of the anticipated setting point.

Tripod-mounted Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 in sunset mode.

Prepartion of montage of four selected images in which Mercury enhanced with minimal application of Star Spikes Pro filter to improve visibility.