On Friday November 13 an alignment of Mercury (near western elongation which occurred on November 10 at 19.1 degrees) and Venus were bisected by the crescent Moon. Nearly directly below Venus the brightest star of the constellation Virgo, which is designated Alpha Virginis, was located. It also has the name of Spica. Although the elongation was not its longest of the year by any means, but the ecliptic at this time of the year is nearly upright, placing Mercury high above the horizon. It was also shining at magnitude -0.3, the brightest it reaches for the year.