PANJIM: Stargazers in Goa are all set to witness a rare celestial spectacle on the night of October 14, as the Moon will pass directly in front of Saturn, temporarily obscuring the planet from view in a phenomenon known as an occultation. This captivating event, which is expected to draw both astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers, will occur after midnight, offering a unique opportunity to witness two celestial bodies interacting.
The occultation will commence at 00:12 midnight, when Saturn will begin to disappear behind the Moon in the south-western sky at an altitude of 49.7 degrees. Observers can expect to see Saturn re-emerge from behind the lunar surface approximately 70 minutes later, at 01:21 am, when it will be visible at an altitude of 34.8 degrees. Telescopic views will reveal the ringed planet gracefully gliding behind the Moon's cratered landscape, making it a moment not to be missed.
This astronomical event will be visible from a limited area due to the Moon’s proximity to Earth, causing its position in the sky to vary by up to two degrees globally. In addition to the Moon and Saturn, Jupiter and its four Galilean moons will also be visible in the opposite part of the sky, providing a stunning backdrop for observers.
To enhance the experience, the Association of Friends of Astronomy (Goa) will host observation events at the Public Astronomical Observatories, located at Junta House in Panjim and Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. Both venues will be open from 11 pm on October 14 until the conclusion of the phenomena.