What does it mean that Mercury is far to the west?

Seen from the earth, the maximum angle between the planet and the sun. Usually used to describe the angle between mercury or venus and the sun.

The planets in the earth (Mercury and Venus) travel to and from the east and west sides of the sun in the cycle of rendezvous, and their distance angle to the east or west of the sun is limited to some extent: their maximum distance angle is called "great distance". That is the most favorable time to observe the planets on earth. Divided into east distance and west distance. In the distance of the east, the planets on the earth appear in the western sky after sunset; On the contrary, in the western distance, they appeared in the eastern sky before sunrise. The distances between Mercury and Venus are "28 degrees" and "48 degrees" respectively. The size of this angle depends on the distance between the planets on the earth and the sun and the earth. Large distances are usually the clearest time to observe continental planets, because planets are far away from the sun and are not affected by sunlight.

References:

baike.baidu.com/view/47 1505.html? WTP = TT