The star Antares is hidden behind the moon in a rare phenomenon observed in Saudi Arabia

Weather of Arabia - A rare phenomenon known as occultation was observed on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, as the moon moved temporarily in front of the star Antares, and this phenomenon was visible in various regions of the Arab world, including Saudi Arabia, the Arab Gulf states, Yemen, and Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and Djibouti.

What is occultation?

Occultation is known in astronomy as the phenomenon that occurs when a celestial body disappears behind another celestial body that passes between it and the observer. The term “occultation” is usually used when the moon passes in front of a star or planet in the zodiac.

The President of the Astronomical Society in Jeddah, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, points out that the occultation can only be seen from limited areas on the Earth’s surface. Because the Moon is much closer to the Earth than other celestial bodies and therefore, the location of the occultation in the sky varies depending on where the observer is on the Earth's surface, it can vary by two degrees or four times the diameter of the full moon when viewed from two different points on the Earth.

It is necessary to be very careful while trying to observe the occultation, as the telescope must be directed with great care to avoid pointing too close to the sun, especially at the beginning of the occultation when the sun is still above the horizon.

At the beginning of the occultation in Mecca, the star Antares disappeared behind the moon, at 05:24 pm, and the star appeared again at 06:43 pm.

As for Medina, the event began at 05:20 pm, while the sun was still above the horizon, and the star reappeared at 06:41 pm.

During the occultation phenomenon, the moon's crescent will be illuminated at an estimated rate of about 15%. During this period, the star Antares will disappear behind the dark side of the moon, and will reappear again behind the illuminated side. When Antares begins to reappear from behind the moon after sunset, it is preferable to Use binoculars or a small telescope for a clearer view.

In general, occultations of bright stars and planets occur repeatedly during the year, and these occultations are often clustered in successive months, because the Moon follows a roughly similar path across the sky each month, and occultations stop when the Moon's path moves across the sky.

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Sources:

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