January 13, 2025 — On Monday evening, January 13, skywatchers across much of North America will have the rare opportunity to witness the moon pass in front of Mars, temporarily hiding the red planet from view. This exciting celestial event, known as an “occultation,” will occur just days after the moon’s recent pass by the Pleiades star cluster and provides a unique chance to see the moon cover one of the brightest planets in our night sky.
The event is a rarity, as the moon only occultates Mars roughly once every 14 years in a given location on Earth. So, if you’re in the “occultation zone” and the weather is clear, this is one skywatching event you won’t want to miss.
At the time of the occultation, the moon will be just hours past its full phase, which officially occurs at 5:27 p.m. EST (2227 GMT) on January 13. Known as the “Wolf Moon” in January, this full moon will be in direct opposition to the sun, a phenomenon that is also shared by Mars at this time. Although Mars’ opposition will officially take place two days later, on January 15, the timing of the moon’s passage over Mars will cause the planet to momentarily disappear behind it as both celestial objects align in the sky.
This event will be visible across most of the contiguous United States and much of eastern and central Canada, offering skywatchers a spectacular view. With Mars at its brightest for the year — shining at a magnitude of -1.3, just slightly less brilliant than Sirius, the brightest star in the sky — it will be a stunning sight. However, during the occultation, the moon will outshine Mars by nearly 40,000 times, so those wishing to see Mars disappear and reappear behind the moon will need to use telescopes or binoculars.
Even if you’re not equipped with a telescope, you can still enjoy Mars’ brilliant glow in the sky both before and after the occultation. A few hours before or after the event, Mars will be clearly visible to the naked eye, glowing brightly next to the dazzling full moon. For those unprepared, the sudden appearance and disappearance of Mars might even lead to some confused skywatchers calling local media outlets, curious about what they believe to be a “mysterious UFO.”
For those interested in capturing the moment, there are plenty of guides available for photographing both the planets and the moon during the occultation. Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or simply a curious skywatcher, this rare event offers an exciting opportunity to connect with the cosmos.
