LUNAR OCCULTATION OF SATURN THIS EVENING – ASTRO DOG’S MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHT FOR JANUARY 2025!!! PLUS EARTH REACHES PERIHELION - 04/01/2025
On the night of the 4th of January, the Earth will reach a point in its orbit where it will be closest to the Sun known as Perihelion. However, on the same date another a very special celestial event that will be of much more interest to the average stargazer will take place. In the early evening of the 4th of January, the amazing ringed planet Saturn will appear to travel behind the Moon during an event known as a Lunar Occultation. This special event is our must see highlight for January 2025.
A SPECIAL ASTRONOMICAL EVENT
Although the Moon pays close visits to planets very regularly, Lunar occultations of planets are fairly rare events. The last lunar occultation of Saturn that was visible from the UK was in August 2024 but the last UK lunar occultation of Saturn before 2024 was back in 2007. Because lunar occultations of planets are such a rare and unusual event we recommend that you head out to try and view this lunar occultation for yourself.
WHAT IS A LUNAR OCCULTATION?
All the planets in the solar system orbit around the Sun travelling along a flat plane. The Moon also orbits the Earth in line with this plane. To help you visualise this, imagine the Solar system as a record/disc with the sun at its centre and the planets located further out on the disc following circular paths around the centre. This causes the planets and the Moon to appear to travel roughly along the same path in the sky – a band of the sky known as the ecliptic.
As the Moon orbits around the Earth, moving along the ecliptic it appears to travel close by to all the planets each month. Although all the planets travel roughly along the same plane, their orbits are not perfectly aligned and each planet’s orbit is tilted slightly differently compared to each other’s. Because the planets' and the Moon's orbits are not precisely aligned with each other, it is very rare that they will occupy the same point in the sky. However, every now and then on rare occasions when the Moon and a planet are in just the right alignment along the ecliptic, the Moon can appear to travel in front a planet and obscure it from our view. When this event takes place, it is known as a Lunar Occultation.
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW LONG WILL THE OCCULTATION BE?
Last August’s lunar occultation of Saturn involved an almost full 97% illuminated waning gibbous Moon in the early morning twilight. January’s occultation will occur in the darkening skies of the early evening on the 4th of January and the Moon will be a 25% illuminated waxing crescent.
Look towards the South to South-West just following sunset and you will be able to see The Moon and Saturn close by to the super bright planet Venus. All three celestial bodies can be located in the constellation of Aquarius the water bearer.
The occultation of Saturn will begin at roughly 5:18pm when Saturn’s ring system will appear to touch the edge of the upper left dark portion of the Moon. It will then take around 52 seconds for Saturn to completely disappear behind the Moon. If you are able to watch the event with a pair of binoculars or a telescope, you may also be able to spot Saturn’s largest moon – Titan disappear behind the Moon about 3 minutes (3m 9s) after Saturn.
After Saturn completely disappears behind the Moon, it will be hidden from view for 1hour and 8 minutes before it may be seen beginning to emerge from the illuminated lower right portion of the Moon at roughly 6:26pm. It will take around 65 seconds for Saturn to fully re-emerge from behind the Moon and binocular or telescope users can spot Titan re-appear about 3 and a half minutes later. (3m 31s)
ASTRO DOG EXCITED FOR THE LUNAR OCCULTATION OF SATURN + POSSIBLE LIVE STREAM OF THE EVENT
We can’t wait to witness this very special event and we recommend you head out to observe the Lunar occultation of Saturn too! We are hoping to capture some photographs of the occultation and (if we are treated to clear skies) we may possibly try to live stream the event for those of you who can’t head out to see it. If you would be interested in watching our live stream, please make sure to check in with us just before the event takes place.
LOOK OUT FOR OTHER PLANETS
Early January is a great time to spot the bright planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. As well as being able to view Venus and Saturn, you will also be able to spot gas giant Jupiter in the constellation of Taurus the bull, and the red planet Mars can be found in the constellation of Cancer the crab.
WHAT ELSE IS IN THE NIGHT SKY THROUGHOUT JANUARY?
There’s lots to see in the night sky throughout January and there are quite a few exciting astronomical events taking place this month. If you would like to know more about the rest of the celestial treats that can be seen throughout January, please head to our YouTube channel to watch our Night Sky Guide video for January 2025. Here is a link to our video:
CLOSING WORDS
As ever, we would like to say thank you and show our appreciation to our followers and everyone who has shown their support for our small business, your support means the world to us! If you think you know anyone that would like what we do, please feel free to tag and share. Every interaction, like, follow, tag and share helps us greatly and we would like to thank you for all your support!
If you head out to enjoy the Lunar occultation of Saturn or enjoy the night sky at any time in the near future, we wish you good luck and clear skies!
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