95 replies to this topic

[mikemarotta]

Occultation of Mars

Event date  January 13, 2025  Event time  9:15 pm - 9:45 pm [USA Eastern Standard Time]
Mars will disappear behind the Moon at 9:24 PM on January 13, but alas we will be off campus and no event will be held.

Student Astronomers at Harvard-Radcliffe
59 Shepard St, SOCH Box #102
Cambridge, MA 02138
stahrgazers@gmail.com

 

If you can see only one celestial event this January, see this one.

https://www.astrolea...ccults-Mars.pdf

 

Thanks,

Mike M.

Edited by mikemarotta, 17 December 2024 - 07:19 PM.

[sc285]

http://www.lunar-occ...ts/0114mars.htm

[SNH]

Thanks, Mike. I didn't know about this one!

 

Scott H.

[mikemarotta]

http://www.lunar-occ...ts/0114mars.htm

Thanks, sc285!                          UT Jan14.     Moon 

                                                                        Alt Az.   CA  PA  WA   a    b

Location                                                                                             m/o  m/o

312 US Austin Tx                      1 53  9         24  74   -12S 122 110  +0.8 +0.0

 

Clear Skies!

Mike M.

Edited by mikemarotta, 18 December 2024 - 06:07 AM.

[RMay]

The Moon and Mars will be only rising and very low in the east (at least from here in north central CA) as the occultation begins. You’ll want to check your star charts and location to confirm you’ll be able to see it.

Ron

[MrSyzygy]

According to IOTA, the lowest altitude that the moon will have in Canada at time of "disappearance" is 20° (Castlegar, BC) and at time of "reappearance" is 21° (Penticton, BC).

 

So if you're in Canada and in the occultation zone, you should be good to go!

 

IOTA: http://www.lunar-occ...ts/0114mars.htm

[MrSyzygy]

And for the US:

 

According to IOTA, the lowest altitude that the moon will have in the United States at time of "disappearance" is 7° (Lompoc, CA) and at time of "reappearance" is 16° (King Salmon CA).

 

So if you're in the United States and in the occultation zone, you should also be good to go, however the west coast will need to have a good view of their eastern horizon.

 

IOTA: http://www.lunar-occ...ts/0114mars.htm

Edited by MrSyzygy, 19 December 2024 - 12:08 AM.

[MrSyzygy]

With this event just around the corner, it's time to mention some additional info.

 

Since the visibility of this occultation is identical nationwide (US)—with all locations to witness both the "disappearance" and "reappearance" of a nighttime occultation—a regular visibility map isn't really necessary. However, I would like to point out some minor exceptions in the Florida Keys and in extreme northwestern Washington state. See below.

 

Also shown is a moon map of where Mars will ingress and egress behind the moon for selected cities. Seattle is very close to the northern graze path and Miami is very close to the southern graze path.

 

I also want to reiterate what was mentioned above in that these nationwide prime-time "disappearance" and "reappearance" times are absolutely gorgeous and that it doesn't get any better than this. Here they are again shown below (all in local time).

 

The next lunar occultation of Mars, visible from the US, will not take place until the year 2038! So, be sure not to miss this one! It will be a beaut!

 

[ThomasWos]

This should be interesting!

 

I live at the extreme Northern edge of the partial occultation zone, in Bellingham WA.

 

Can anyone recommend filters for such an event?

 

Thanks.

 

TW

Edited by ThomasWos, 12 January 2025 - 09:59 PM.

[MrSyzygy]

This should be interesting!

 

I live at the extreme Northern edge of the partial occultation zone, in Bellingham WA.

 

Can anyone recommend filters for such an event?

 

Thanks.

 

TW

I wouldn't use a filter. I would just overexpose the Moon a tiny bit to help bring out Mars. That's it.

 

And yes, agreed, you are in a very interesting spot. Bellingham will either see a partial occultation or no occultation depending on exact location.

 

For instance, at Clark's Point (48°41'53"N, 122°30'48"W), Stellarium shows a partial occultation while at Zuanich Point (48°45'15"N, 122°30'00"W), just 4 miles away, it shows no occultation.

 

If I were you, I'd try to get to the partial. At least then, you'll get to see the limb of Mars and the limb of the Moon kiss each other. Let us know what happens!

 

[thedude_01]

What do you guys think? Using binoculars to view this event or a telescope? 

[B 26354]

What do you guys think? Using binoculars to view this event or a telescope? 

Both.

 

Mars is essentially at opposition, so it's bright enough (~mag -1.4) to allow low-powered (binocular) viewing of the occultation, even though the Moon is full. But since it takes about thirty seconds for Mars' disk to pass behind the lunar edge -- and later emerge -- higher-magnification telescopic views are a lot more fun to watch.

 

[98105dude]

The timing data and map are really helpful. Thanks!

[Diana N]

I'm looking forward to this and dreading it at the same time.  It will be a treat to observe, but I've become a weather wimp and it's going to be COLD outside!

[MrSyzygy]

Okay, so who's ready for The Great North American Occultation! [1] Let's see a show of hands! LOL

 

The Moon and Mars are currently rising together in Eastern United States. In just a few hours they will be visible nationwide. The occultation will take place first in Western United States then move eastward.

 

Overall, the weather is looking good! Major cities expected to have less than one-third cloud-cover by 7pm PT/10pm ET tonight are: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Saint Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington DC. Happy stargazing.

 

 

[1] https://www.universe...can-occultation

[kasprowy]

Chicago is bitter cold and crystal clear right now, 5:00pm CST, and the Moon is just coming into view. I have to work tonight, but am bringing my Kowa 6*30 binocular.

[CygnuS]

Good thing a friend called about this. In January's Astronomy magazine it wasn't listed on their Calender of Events (page 31). It did say they were going to come close. 

After I got the call I looked closer and saw they mentioned it on page 35. Looks like it's going to cloud up here in NW Pennsylvania though. 

[Josephus Miller]

It snowed all day here in northern New Mexico, but I got my hopes up when it started to clear around sunset. Unfortunately though about half an hour ago, a heavy deck of clouds moved in. There’s still time for it to clear again… fingers crossed!

Edited by Josephus Miller, 13 January 2025 - 08:29 PM.

[astroclint]

It is clear up here in parker.

[Diana N]

It's a total cloud-out here in Omaha.  At leas that means I have a legitimate excuse to stay in my nice warm office and catch up on work.

 

Of course, the weather forecast has the clouds breaking up after the occultation.

[grif 678]

Right now, about 30 minutes before the occulation, it is clear. As an old timer, this will be my first time seeing a planet going behind the moon. I have seen planetary transits in front of the sun, but this will be my first. Hope it stays clear.

[Josephus Miller]

And yay, the clouds did part!

(Just a quick iPhone snap...)

 

Had a great view of the immersion through my 102mm x 900mm achromat while my C8 recorded the event for posterity. Surprisingly good seeing for such a low altitude view. I could see an icecap and some faint albedo features on Mars at 150 power.

 

Edit: just waiting for reemergence now...

Edited by Josephus Miller, 13 January 2025 - 09:15 PM.

[DaveL]

Saw immersion through altocumulus clouds, but was still nicely visible through the clouds (just looked a bit blurry). But it was clear 20 minutes before! Showed my daughter too. Hopefully the clouds will clear in an hour. Viewed in my 10" Dob. 

 

-Dave

Edited by DaveL, 13 January 2025 - 09:19 PM.

[nobake]

Here in Eastern Iowa I was able to watch the start. Very nice, pretty steady skies, good detail on Mars.

 

As I watched a thought of "the moon is eating Mars" ran through my mind which then gave me a flashback of showing my two older boys (then 3 and 4) the scars of Shoemaker-Levy on Jupiter.  Their takeaway at the time was that "a comet killed Jupiter!" - which I learned from hearing them telling their grandparents.

matt

[EJN]

10 minutes before occultation. Canon G9, ISO 100, 1/200 sec, f/7.1, 210mm equiv.

 

Edited by EJN, 13 January 2025 - 09:25 PM.