Moon to eclipse Saturn: A rare celestial event unfolds
Planetary occultations involving the Moon are rare sights in the sky. This is particularly interesting when they involve Saturn, a fascinating object in the Solar System due to its spectacular rings.
A stunning show is set to occur in the evening sky. On this occasion, our natural satellite, the Moon, will cover one of the gas giants with its distinctive rings - Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun. It's worth observing this phenomenon through a telescope or binoculars, as the next opportunity won't come for another six years, in April 2031.
Occultation of Saturn by the Moon - where and when?
The event will begin on January 4th and will last about an hour. According to one of the astronomy forums, Saturn will disappear behind the Moon's invisible, dark side and will reappear on its illuminated side.
The entire spectacle will occur on the southwestern horizon, coinciding with a rising Moon. Our satellite will be a few days into the new moon phase, so it will not be overwhelmingly bright.
Saturn, as the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, is second only to Jupiter in terms of size. Its most renowned feature is its majestic rings, composed mainly of ice and rock. Saturn is classified as a gas giant, lacking a solid surface, with its main components being hydrogen and helium. Phenomena such as occultation by the Moon offer an excellent opportunity to marvel at the mysteries of our cosmic neighbour in all its complexity.
