All articles tagged with #occultation
Astronomers observed a dynamic and evolving ring system forming around the centaur object Chiron in real time, providing insights into the formation and development of rings around small Solar System bodies, with ongoing changes suggesting a recent ejection of material and a transitional stage in ring system evolution.
The October 2025 new moon will coincide with the peak of the Orionid meteor shower and will occult the red star Antares for observers in South America and the Falklands, offering a rare celestial event alongside visible planets like Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus.
The moon will pass in front of the Pleiades star cluster on October 9, 2025, offering a rare opportunity for skywatchers in North America to observe the occultation, with specific viewing times and locations provided for optimal viewing, especially using telescopes.
Astronomers may have discovered a new moon or a third ring around the dwarf planet Quaoar through occultation observations, with further confirmation needed. The findings suggest complex features in Quaoar's system, including potential new satellites or rings, and highlight the challenges of observing distant celestial bodies. The discovery was made during a carefully planned observation involving amateur and professional astronomers, emphasizing the importance of occultation studies in understanding the outer solar system.
This weekend, stargazers can observe the crescent moon, Mars, and the bright star Regulus align in the western sky after sunset, with a rare occultation of Mars by the moon occurring on June 29 in parts of South America and Clipperton Island, offering a spectacular celestial display.
On June 9, the waxing gibbous moon will appear close to the bright red star Antares in the constellation Scorpius, offering a spectacular skywatching event for observers in the U.S. and southern hemisphere, with Antares potentially being occulted by the moon in some regions.
A rare type of eclipse occurred on Monday night when an asteroid named Leona crossed over the giant star Betelgeuse in the night sky. The eclipse, classified as an occultation, caused Betelgeuse's light to briefly fade and then brighten again. The event lasted less than 15 seconds and was visible in a narrow path from parts of Europe to Mexico and the southern tip of Florida. Astronomers used the opportunity to study both Leona and Betelgeuse, with the latter being of particular interest due to its potential to explode as a supernova in the future.
An asteroid will temporarily block the light of Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, during a rare event called an occultation. The event will be visible to millions in a narrow strip that includes Mexico, southern Florida, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Central Asia. Astronomers are excited to observe the occultation as it will provide valuable scientific data on both the asteroid and Betelgeuse, which experienced a dramatic dimming event in 2019 and 2020. This event could help shed light on the star's future, as it is one of the best candidates for a future supernova.
Tonight, an asteroid named 319 Leona will pass in front of the red giant star Betelgeuse, causing an occultation event where the star will be blocked from view for up to 15 seconds. This rare occurrence provides astronomers with a unique opportunity to study Betelgeuse's photosphere. The occultation will only be visible along a narrow path from central Mexico to southern Florida, and then from southern Europe and Eurasia. However, the Virtual Telescope Project in Rome will host a free livestream of the event. Betelgeuse is one of the largest and brightest stars in the night sky and has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential supernova explosion.
An asteroid named 319 Leona is expected to briefly obscure the star Betelgeuse in an event known as an occultation. Lasting for about 15 seconds, this rare celestial event will provide astronomers with an opportunity to study both the shape of the asteroid and the surface of Betelgeuse. The occultation will be visible in certain parts of the world, including Miami, the Florida Keys, parts of Mexico, Europe, and Asia. The Virtual Telescope Project plans to host a livestream for those unable to witness the event in person.
The bright star Betelgeuse, part of the Orion constellation, will be temporarily obscured by the asteroid Leona on December 11, causing it to vanish from sight for a few seconds. This rare event will only be visible along a narrow path on Earth, stretching from Mexico to central Asia. The occultation offers a unique opportunity for scientists to study Betelgeuse's behavior and characteristics, as well as gain insights into the asteroid Leona. The Virtual Telescope 2.0 project will livestream the event, allowing people outside the path to witness the spectacle.
New research reveals that the minor planet Chiron, previously thought to have rings, actually has an ever-shifting disk of dust and gas. The true nature of the material orbiting Chiron remains unknown, but recent observations indicate that it is not a stable ring system. Chiron, one of the first objects in a new class known as centaurs, has shown signs of comet-like activity and has experienced changes in the amount of material blocking starlight over the years. Further investigation is needed to understand the complex nature of Chiron's disk and its relationship to other objects with apparent ring systems.
On December 11 or 12, 2023, observers in southern Europe, the Bahamas, southern Florida, and part of Mexico will have the opportunity to witness the star Betelgeuse dim or disappear for several seconds as asteroid Leona passes in front of it. This event presents a unique opportunity for astronomers to study both Betelgeuse and Leona, helping to refine their knowledge of the star's size and shape, as well as map its convective cells. Betelgeuse is known for its variability in brightness and is the nearest red supergiant star to Earth, located approximately 1,000 light-years away.
On December 12th, asteroid 319 Leona will pass directly in front of Betelgeuse, the red giant star in the constellation of Orion. This rare event, known as an occultation, will be visible to observers along a corridor from central Asia and southern Europe to Florida and Mexico. The passage of the asteroid in front of Betelgeuse will provide scientists with an opportunity to study the star's behavior and learn more about the orbit and shape of the asteroid. Observers are advised to be aware of uncertainties in the predictions and to be prepared for the star to either completely blink out or fade during the event.
Sky-watchers and photographers captured the rare sight of Venus disappearing behind a slim crescent moon in an occultation event visible in Europe, Russia, and a small part of northeastern Africa. The planet's ingress and egress occurred in daylight, with observers using binoculars and cameras to glimpse the event between clouds. The next occultation of Venus by the moon will be visible from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and southern Greenland, coinciding with the "Great American Eclipse." The path of the occultation will loosely follow the path of totality, where the moon will block the sun for up to 4 minutes 26 seconds, creating a twilight-like darkness and a 360-degree sunset.