Moon to cloak Saturn in rare celestial show this January
Planetary occultations involving the Moon are quite rare in the sky, especially when they involve Saturn, one of the Solar System's more intriguing objects due to its spectacular rings.
A spectacular display is being prepared in the evening sky. This time, our natural satellite 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 such opportunity will be in April 2031, in 6 years' time.
The occultation of Saturn by the Moon - where and when?
The phenomenon will commence on 4th January and will last about an hour. According to an astronomy forum, Saturn will disappear behind the invisible, dark part of the Moon and reappear at its illuminated side.
The entire spectacle will take place on the southwestern horizon, as the Moon will be rising. Our satellite will be a few days into the new moon phase, so its brightness will not be overwhelming.
Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, is only surpassed by Jupiter in terms of size. Its most famous feature is its majestic rings, composed mainly of ice and rock. As a gas giant, Saturn doesn't have a solid surface, and its main components are hydrogen and helium. Phenomena like the Moon's occultation provide an excellent opportunity to admire the mysteries of our cosmic neighbour in all its complexity.
