Occultations, transits, and eclipses
Occultations, transits, and eclipses are three different ways that one object in space can block the view of another.
An occultation happens when one object, like a planet, an asteroid, or the Moon, passes in front of another object, like a star. This is like when one person stands in front of another person and blocks their view. Spooky!
A transit happens when a planet, like Mercury or Venus, passes in front of the Sun. This is like when a tiny bug flies in front of a bright light.
An eclipse is when either the Moon or the shadow of the Moon passes in front of the Sun. This is like when a cloud passes in front of the Sun and blocks its light. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon is passing into the shadow of the Earth, while during a solar eclipse, the Moon passes in front of the Sun.
Occultations, transits, and eclipses are all pretty cool ways to observe what's going on in the space around us!
An occultation happens when one object, like a planet, an asteroid, or the Moon, passes in front of another object, like a star. This is like when one person stands in front of another person and blocks their view. Spooky!
A transit happens when a planet, like Mercury or Venus, passes in front of the Sun. This is like when a tiny bug flies in front of a bright light.
An eclipse is when either the Moon or the shadow of the Moon passes in front of the Sun. This is like when a cloud passes in front of the Sun and blocks its light. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon is passing into the shadow of the Earth, while during a solar eclipse, the Moon passes in front of the Sun.
Occultations, transits, and eclipses are all pretty cool ways to observe what's going on in the space around us!