Mercury Retrograde Countdown Screensaver
The Mercury Retrograde Countdown screensaver shows Mercury's real current status and a live countdown to its next station. It is free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.
How the Mercury Retrograde Countdown screensaver works
The saver computes Mercury's real geocentric ecliptic longitude day by day.
It scans forward until that real longitude's direction of motion reverses.
That reversal date is Mercury's next real station, direct or retrograde.
Everything is computed locally — no network, no key.
A worked example
If Mercury is currently retrograde, the countdown points to its real next direct station; otherwise to its next retrograde station.
Settings & tips
- Mercury retrogrades about three times a year, roughly three weeks each.
- Accent recolours the countdown numerals.
- The status updates from a fresh real computation, not a fixed table.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this a real countdown?
- Yes — it is computed fresh from Mercury's real orbital motion, not a static published list.
- How often does Mercury retrograde?
- About three or four times a real year, each lasting roughly three weeks.
- Is a key needed?
- No. Everything is computed locally in your browser.
- Is it free?
- Yes — free, no download, in your browser.