While these two tracks cross each other, it’s relatively rare for the Moon and Saturn to be at the same place at the same time. But it does happen, and it’s called an occultation. The Moon slowly covers Saturn, blocking it for some time, then once again moves out of the way to reveal the ringed planet. In this case, the timing of the May 14 occultation made it visible only for observers in the southern hemisphere, specifically Australia and New Zealand.Image Credit: Paul Steward, New Zeland
Tuesday, May 27
Great Image: Moon and Saturn Occultation
Labels:
moon,
occultation,
Paul Stewart,
Phil Plait,
Saturn,
Slate