Mercury’s 88-day orbit around the Sun will carry it to its closest point to
the Sun – its perihelion – at a distance of
0.31 AU from the Sun.

Unlike most of the planets, which follow almost exactly circular orbits around
the Sun only varying in their distance from the Sun by a few percent,
Mercury has a significantly elliptical orbit.

Its distance from the Sun varies between 0.307 AU at perihelion (closest
approach to the Sun), and 0.467 AU at aphelion (furthest recess from the
Sun). This variation, of over 50%, means that its surface receives over twice
as much energy from the Sun at perihelion as compared to aphelion.

However, this makes little difference to Mercury’s telescopic appearance, since
little if any detail on its surface can be resolved by ground-based telescopes.
Although its changing seasons have an incredible effect upon its surface
temperatures, there is little change that is visible to amateur observers.

The position of Mercury at the moment it passes perihelion will be:

The coordinates above are given in J2000.0.

From Los Angeles, Mercury will not be readily observable since it will be very close to the Sun, at a separation of only 5° from it.