Full Moon Lunar Occultation of Mars Revealed in Stunning New Timelapse Video From Hawaii
- The rare event occurred this week, when the full moon passed directly in front of Mars, completely hiding the red planet from view for over an hour. Astronomers at the Maunakea Observatory captured the full occultation in a breathtaking 4K timelapse, showing the planet disappearing and reappearing from behind the lunar limb.
- This was the first visibility of Mars being occulted by a full moon in over a decade from the Pacific region. The next similar opportunity won't occur until 2031, making this a must-see astronomical milestone for skywatchers worldwide.
- Stargazers can still catch Mars in a unique 'double star' illusion tonight, as the full moon and planet rise together before the occultation sequence finishes. The positioning offers a rare chance for astrophotographers to capture both celestial bodies in sharp focus.
- The event also provided new data for lunar scientists, as the occultation allows for precise measurements of the moon's limb profile. This helps refine models of lunar topography and orbital dynamics, with implications for future Artemis missions.
- For best viewing of the remaining phenomenon, use binoculars or a small telescope just after local sunset. The full moon will appear exceptionally bright, so dark adaptation is key to spotting Mars re-emerge on the opposite side of the lunar disk.