The planet Mercury will be at its perihelion, or closest point to the sun, in its orbit on March 23 (Thursday) at 5pm Doha local time, according to a press statement by Qatar Calendar House. People in Qatar and the region can observe Mercury from a desert area with no environmental and light pollution, noted astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk has explained. The planet will appear above the western horizon in the Qatar sky by 11 degrees after sunset. It will be visible for about 1 hour and 7 minutes after sunset before setting around 6.53pm (local time), he adds. Mercury will be at its perihelion again on June 19.