Lunar Occultation of Mars, Today

Watch this Rare Event After Sunset

A rare celestial spectacle is about to unfold, and you won’t want to miss it.

On this night, the Moon will pass incredibly close to Mars, creating a lunar occultation — a fascinating event where the Moon temporarily hides the Red Planet from view.

What’s happening?

The Moon will move in front of Mars, causing the planet to disappear behind it for a brief period. This is known as a lunar occultation, and it’s a stunning, rare cosmic alignment you’ll want to catch.

Where to watch:

Depending on your location, you could experience:

• Mars disappearing completely behind the Moon (full occultation)

• Or a close conjunction, with both celestial bodies appearing side-by-side in the sky.

How to watch:

• No telescope required — but binoculars or a zoom lens will give you a clearer view.

• Look toward the eastern sky shortly after sunset for the best view.

• Use astronomy apps to pinpoint the perfect time in your location.

Why this matters:

Lunar occultations involving bright planets like Mars are incredibly rare, making this event a must-see for skywatchers, astrophotographers, and space enthusiasts alike. It's a chance to witness two worlds aligning in the sky, and trust us — it’ll be breathtaking.

Today's rare event is called  the lunar occultation of Mars—a rare and mesmerizing event where the Moon passes in front of Mars, temporarily covering most or all of it from view. This particular event occurred today, July 28, 2025, making it a striking celestial moment for many observers. YouTube+10Facebook+10Daily Galaxy+10. Here's what my AI search says of this event. 

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🌓 What’s Happening

• On July 28, a waxing crescent Moon (about 19% illuminated) rose in the west not long after sunset and drifted very close to Mars—within approximately 1°, or the width of your little finger at arm’s length. EarthSky+3Live Science+3When the Curves Line Up+3

• In some places around the globe (particularly parts of the Americas, and certain regions in Africa and Antarctica), the Moon passed directly in front of Mars, causing a brief occultation where Mars disappeared behind the lunar limb and later re-emerged. Orbital Today

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🗺 Where and When It Was Visible

• Occultation Visibility: Only visible from a narrow strip of locations, including western South America, western Africa, and southern polar regions. In-The-Sky.orgLinkedIn

• Conjunction (Close Pass): From most places worldwide, including North America and Europe, the Moon and Mars appeared to pass in very close proximity—no covering, but a stunning near‑contact. When the Curves Line Up+14Live Science+14Orbital Today+14

• From your perspective (Calif. / Walnut Creek), this event would have appeared as a striking conjunction—Mars close to the Moon, but not fully covered. EarthSkySpace

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✨ Viewing Details & Tips

• Timing: About 45 minutes after sunset, both Mars and the crescent Moon rose high enough over the western horizon to be easily seen together. Orbital Today+13Live Science+13Facebook+13

• What to Look For:

  • Mars as a bright reddish “star”—easy to spot even without magnification.

  • Earthshine on the Moon—a faint, ghostly glow on the dark side lit by sunlight reflecting off Earth. Orbital Today+6EarthSky+6RASC Hamilton+6

• Best Tools: Lightweight gear like 10×50 binoculars or a small telescope can capture the subtle lunar features and Mars’s disappearance/reappearance if in the right location. SpaceIn-The-Sky.org

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🌌 Why It’s Special

• Lunar occultations of bright planets like Mars are relatively rare—they depend on precise orbital alignments and visibility from specific regions on Earth. In-The-Sky.org+8In-The-Sky.org+8RASC Hamilton+8

• Occurring near Mars opposition (when Mars is closest to Earth), the planet is exceptionally bright, making the visual impact greater. Live ScienceHigh Point Scientific

• For those in the occultation path, it’s a true slow‑motion eclipse—a planet vanishing behind the Moon and reappearing minutes later.

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🔭 Summary at a Glance

Feature	Details
Event	Lunar occultation (Moon covering Mars) or very close conjunction
Date	July 28, 2025
Moon phase	~19% waxing crescent
Visibility	Conjunction visible widely; occultation only from certain regions
View from Walnut Creek	Close conjunction; likely no full occultation
Equipment	Naked eye, binoculars or small telescope for best detail
Notable effect	Earthshine visible on Moon’s dark si

Meanwhile, here's my photo of the Day...Flowering Red Trumpet Vine

Lastly, Our THD August, 2025 Calendar cover Featuring Photos from our Hawaiian Luau last year