SAEDNEWS: NASA’s Image of the Day Shows Mars Passing During and After a Lunar Occultation These telescope-captured images, taken at two-minute intervals over the course of a month, trace the Moon’s path during this celestial display.
According to the Science Service of Saed News, on January 13 (24 Dey), both the full Moon and Mars shone brightly in the sky, positioned opposite the Sun. NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) combines multiple frames showing the sequence of Mars passing behind the Moon. In some areas of North America and northwest Africa, Mars was hidden behind the Moon, creating a breathtaking view of a lunar “occultation.”
Due to its orbital motion, the Moon occasionally passes in front of all the planets in the solar system. From an Earth-based observer’s perspective, the planet disappears behind the Moon—a phenomenon known as an occultation. Occultations occur due to the temporary alignment of the Moon’s orbital plane with that of the planets.
NASA’s APOD captures the sequence of Mars before, during, and after the occultation. These telescope images were taken at two-minute intervals, tracking the Moon’s path over the hours of this celestial display.
The resulting sequence shows the apparent curved trajectory of the Red Planet, caused by slight differences in the Moon’s apparent motion. This striking image was captured from Richmond, Virginia. Lunar occultations are visible only from limited regions of Earth. The next Mars occultation will occur on February 9 (21 Bahman), when the Moon will be in the Waxing Gibbous phase. This spectacular event will be visible from locations including Russia, China, eastern Canada, Greenland, and other northern regions.
