The phenomenon of one celestial body apparently passing in front of another. By observing the rings as they occult a star or spacecraft, it is possible to probe the optical depth of the rings at very fine spatial resolution. Typically, a star passes behind the rings as seen from Earth or a spacecraft, and instruments record the amount of light passing through the rings as a function of time. If the rings are nearly opaque, then very little light gets through; if the rings are nearly transparent, then most of the light gets through. Thus, the varying light level recorded represents the radial structure of the rings. Voyager also performed radio occultation experiments, in which radio telescopes on Earth recorded the radio signal from Voyager as it passed behind the rings. Since radio signals are not hindered by the smallest ring particles, this experiment tells us about the largest particles in the ring system. Back to the .
A phenomenon that occurs when one celestial body moves in front of and masks another when they are seen from Earth.
is simply the passing of one astronomical object in front of another. For example, Jupiter passes behind the moon.
The process by which one celestial body passes in front of another, blocking it from the view of an observer as seen from Earth. Similar to an "eclipse".
The hiding of one astronomical body by another, such as the occultation of a star by the moon.
the obscuration of one celestial body by another of greater apparent diameter; especially the passage of the Moon in front of a star or planet, or the disappearance of a satellite behind the disk of its primary. If the primary source of illumination of a reflecting body is cut off by the occultation, the phenomenon is also called an eclipse. The occultation of the Sun by the Moon is a solar eclipse (see eclipse, solar.)
The concealment of one heavenly body by another passing between it and the observer, as of a star or planet by the moon, or of a satellite by its primary planet. It is also the concealment of a heavenly body behind the Earth. The term is commonly applied only in those cases in which the occulting body is of much greater apparent magnitude than that occulted (i.e. the partial or total eclipse). In the case of Jupiter's satellites, an eclipse takes place when a satellite passes into the planet's shadow and an occultation takes place when it passes behind the planet's disk.
When one celestial body passes in front of and obscures another celestial object.
When one celestial body passes in front of, or covers, another in the sky, it is called an occultation. A solar eclipse is really just a specific type of occultation (the moon occulting the sun).
Transitory blocking of an object's light by the passage of a larger intervening body. Examples include the Moon passing over a star or planet and the shadow of Jupiter passing over one of its satellites.
The disappearance of a body behind another body of larger apparent size. For example the occultation of the Sun by the Moon as viewed by an Earth observer to create a solar eclipse.
the hiding of one heavenly body by another, as when the moon passes between Earth and a star, or when one of the moons of Jupiter or Saturn passes behind the planet
an astronomical event observed when a non-luminous celestial body passes between the observer and a more distant body which is either luminous or shining by reflected light
The passage of one celestial body moving directly in front of another.
An alignment of two bodies with the observer such that the nearer body prevents the light from the further body from reaching the observer. The nearer body is said to occult the further body. A solar eclipse is an example of an occultation.
Eclipse of a star by the moon. Also occult. meaning the shutting off of light.
The obscuring of a body by the bright background of a larger body, as for example when Jupiter's moons pass between the observer and Jupiter itself.
Interruption of the light from an object to an observer when a body in interposed.
When one celestial body passes in front of another, for example a solar eclipse. Observations of occultations allowed astronomers to see that Mercury had no atmosphere and to count Uranus' five major rings. They occur when bodies are at conjunction.
An event where one celestial body blocks or passes in front on another.
The disappearance—eclipse—of one object behind another, as a star or planet behind the Moon or a star behind a planet.
the hiding of a celestial object by another of larger apparent diameter (e.g. solar eclipse).
A partial or complete temporary hiding of one celestial object by another such as a planet moving in front of a star as seen from Earth.
The passage of a celestial body across a line between an observer and another celestial object; and the progressive blocking of light, radio waves, or other radiation from a celestial source during such a passage.
The passage of one astronomical object directly in front of another so as to obscure it from view as seen by a particular observer
This is when one celestial body, passes in front of, and obscures, another.
The disappearance of a body behind another body of larger apparent size. When the moon passes between the observer and a star, the star is said to be occulted. The three associated terms, occultation, eclipse, and transit, are exemplified by the motions of the satellites of Jupiter. An eclipse occurs when a satellite passes into the shadow cast by the planet; an occultation occurs when a satellite passes directly behind the planet; so that it could not be seen even if it were illuminated; and a transit occurs when a satellite passes between the observer and the planet, showing against the disk of the planet.
the passage of one object in front of a smaller one, temporarily obscuring all or part of the background object from view
Usually defined as the passage of a stellar object behind the moon. Occultations can be precisely timed and values of Delta T gained indirectly as a result.
An event that occurs when one celestial body conceals or obscures another. For example, a solar eclipse is an occultation of the Sun by the Moon.
The passage of an object of large angular size in front of a smaller object, such as the Moon in front of a distant star.
When a smaller astronomical body passes behind a larger one, totally obscuring its view. The Moon often occults a star or other planet.
The disappearance of a celestial body behind another body of equal or larger apparent size, such as the occultation of the Sun by the Moon as viewed by an Earth observer during a solar eclipse. Also, the covering of the image of a celestial body by a disc whose size is equal to or larger than the size of the image.
When a smaller astronomical body passes behind a larger astronomical body, wholly obscuring its view.
An eclipse of a celestial object by the Moon or another solar system body.
The blockage of light by the intervention of another object; a planet can occult (block) the light from a distant star.
Planets occasionally obscure other planets or stars temporarily. The Moon, transiting a variable orbit, does so frequently. The phenomenon is termed occultation to distinguish it from eclipses. An occultation is equal to a powerful total or partile conjunction. [To be actually partile, these bodies should at the time have the same latitude and longitude.
when the Moon or a planet passes directly in front of a more distant planet or star. A grazing occultation occurs if the background body is never completely hidden from the observer.
When a small astronomical body is hidden from view by a larger one, e.g. the Moon hiding a star or planet from view as is moves through space, it is called an occultation rather than an eclipse.
From the Latin occultatio, a hiding; an eclipse of a planet. The term eclipse is usually applied to an occultation that hides the Sun or Moon from Earth's view; occultation describes eclipses that obstruct Earth's view of planets other than the Sun or Moon. The eclipsing planet is emphasized over the occulted (hidden) planet in interpreting the accompanying conjunction between the two planets forming an occultation.