Getting Out When Its Clear

If you haven't been out to see Venus and Mercury at their closest now is the time.  The night is clear, looking west from a clear western horizon, stretch out your arm and about 1 1/2 - 2 fist high you will see Venus.  Of course you can see it clearly since it is very bright.  Now if you know the distance of the two outer stars of Orions Belt, they are just over 2 and nearly 3 degrees apart.  Venus and Mercury are just over three degrees apart, with Mercury to the right of Venus at a 0.2 magnitude.  Venus is at -3.9 magnitude considerably brighter.  The next week or less you will be able to view these planets searching out for each other!