Mon Jan 13 20:14:06 UTC 2025: **Rare Lunar Occultation of Mars Visible Across US Tonight**
New York, NY – Stargazers across the continental United States are in for a treat tonight, January 13, 2025. A rare lunar occultation of Mars will occur, making the Red Planet appear to vanish behind the full “Wolf Moon” before reappearing. This celestial event, unfortunately, will not be visible from Europe.
The occultation is happening as Mars shines brightly in the night sky, leading up to its opposition on January 16th. To witness the event, observers should locate the bright full moon and then spot Mars to its east. The exact timing will vary slightly across the US due to lunar parallax – the apparent shift in Mars’s position relative to the Moon based on the observer’s location.
Binoculars or, even better, a telescope, are recommended for optimal viewing, as the bright full moon can wash out the fainter Mars. While the January full moon is sometimes called the “Wolf Moon,” this is simply a traditional nickname and doesn’t affect the moon’s appearance.
The BBC Sky at Night Magazine encourages readers to share their observations and photographs of this unique event by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com. The magazine’s Star Diary podcast and e-newsletter offer further weekly stargazing information.
First Piper 