Jupiter to Hide Behind Moon in Rare Occultation Over South India

Lunar occultation of Jupiter on November 3

Observers in Bengaluru and other parts of south India will be able to watch the moon pass in front of Jupiter in the early hours of November 3. In other locations, the moon will appear to pass extremely close to the planet in the sky, according to the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).

The rare celestial event can be observed with unaided eyes, binoculars or a small telescope.

How the event will unfold

The IIA explained that the moon’s monthly orbit around the earth can sometimes bring it visually close to a planet. On rare occasions, the moon can pass in front of a planet and hide, or occult, it for a while.

From southern India, the moon will pass in front of Jupiter at 2.30 a.m. on November 3, the IIA said. Jupiter will remain hidden for a few minutes, with the exact duration depending on the location, before reappearing on the other side of the moon.

On the night of November 3, the moon will rise at around 1 a.m. Jupiter will be visible just below the moon and very close to it as the event approaches.

The two objects will appear to move closer together until Jupiter disappears behind the lower, bright side of the moon. The planet will later reappear from the moon’s upper, dark side. Their apparent distance will then continue to increase.

Timings in Bengaluru

The IIA said Jupiter’s reappearance should be easier to observe because it will take place on the moon’s dark side and at a higher altitude above the horizon.

In Bengaluru, Jupiter’s disappearance will last 33 minutes. It will begin at 2.30 a.m., with the planet reappearing at 3.03 a.m.

The event offers observers in the region an opportunity to follow both stages of the occultation: Jupiter’s disappearance behind the bright lower side of the moon and its return from the darker upper side. Observers can watch the event without specialised equipment, although binoculars or a small telescope can also be used.

Source: The Hindu