Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system, will reach its nearest point to the Sun on its orbit (perihelion) on Monday at 5.53am Qatar time, Qatar Calendar house (QCH) has said. During the phenomenon, Mercury will be 46mn km away from the Sun's centre - it was at 70mn km on September 19, according to QCH. Mercury reaches its aphelion point (farthest point from the Sun) once every 88 days, and the last such event was on August 6. It will reach the perihelion point again on January 29, 2021, QCH astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk said. Mercury moves on its orbit around Sun on an elliptical orbit, so its distance from Sun's centre varies. The average distance between Mercury and Sun is approximately 58mn km. Mercury will be present during this phenomenon above the eastern horizon of Qatar's sky. To observe Mercury, it is necessary to move away from places with light and environmental pollutants.    
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