The moon has passed the Aldebaran star last March four. The Aldebaran star is said to be the brightest star in Taurus constellation.
This celestial event is called lunar occultation, Apex Tribune reported. Lunar occultation is when the moon passes in front of a celestial body like another planet, a star or any other, which blocks its view from Earth. The Aldebaran star is also known as a representation of the bull's eye. This event was not really noticed by ordinary citizens who are not interested in astronomy. Since the moon moves fast from east to west because of Earth's rotation, events like this happen really fast.
Amateur astronomers and stargazers happened to witness the said lunar occultation. The brightest star in Taurus constellation was momentarily blocked by the moon. It happened between 11 p.m. to almost 12 midnight, facing west in the U.S. The International Occultation Timing Association is one of the groups who monitored the said lunar occultation. Some of them said the moon blocked the Aldebaran star at exactly 11:10 p.m. and it appeared again at 11:32 p.m.
Lunar occultations were really important before. It helped the scientists navigate and refine the orbit of the moon. They were also the ones that pointed how the coordinates of the stars are measured and the rotation of the Earth.
Meanwhile, occultation happens once in a while. Many scientists argue that lunar eclipses are also a type of it. Since the moon blocks the sun view from Earth, it should be considered as one. These types of events is what
Earth Sky has posted pictures from citizens who have captured clearly the lunar occultation. If any of them missed it, there will be another lunar occultation on March 10. The moon will pass in front of Regulus star. Sadly, this heavenly event can only be seen by people in the southern part of the South Atlantic, South Africa, and South America.
Celestial events are amazing and thrilling to watch. Watch the moment when the blocking of the Moon to the Aldebaran star happened.
