Prepare your binoculars for stargazing, as on January 13, Mars will be obscured by the moon in a celestial occurrence referred to as a lunar occultation.
Intriguingly, the lunar occultation of Mars coincides with the Red Planet reaching opposition—meaning that Mars will be directly opposite the sun in the sky above Earth—thus Mars will appear its largest and most luminous as it approaches its nearest point to Earth. This will be the only lunar occultation of Mars visible from the United States in 2025, so be sure not to overlook this unusual occurrence.
To enhance your observation, select a spot that is distanced from artificial lighting and give your eyes a few minutes to adapt to the darkness.
The lunar occultation of Mars will be observable from the continental United States, portions of Canada and Mexico, as well as Western Africa. This illustration from In-the-Sky displays the trajectory of the lunar occultation of Mars.
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Observe the moon ‘consume’ Mars
On January 13, the moon will be completely illuminated. Mars and the moon will stay in close proximity from the moment they rise until they set. They will rise at around 5 p.m. EST on January 13 and will descend around 8 a.m. EST on January 14, although these times may vary slightly based on your position.
Mars will disappear behind the lower edge of the moon at 8:44 p.m. EST on January 13 and will reappear from behind the upper edge of the moon at 12:52 a.m. EST on January 14, according to In-the-Sky.org. However, these timings may vary slightly depending on your specific viewing spot. You can enter your location on the sidebar of In-the-Sky to find out the exact start and end times for your area.
Mars will be easily discernible to the unaided eye, shining brightly with a slight golden hue. Nonetheless, this phenomena is best viewed through a pair of high-quality binoculars or a reliable backyard telescope so you can witness Mars as it appears to skim the moon’s edge. Observing the occurrence with high-quality binoculars or a backyard telescope will also allow for a glimpse of the reddish tones of Mars and the distinct craters on the moon.
You might even be able to spot Mars’ northern polar ice cap, which measures 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) across, and Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the solar system. Valles Marineris stretches approximately 1,900 miles (3,000 kilometers) long, 400 miles (600 km) wide, and 5 miles (8 km) deep, according to NASA. That’s ten times the length of the Grand Canyon, and three times deeper.
The subsequent lunar occultation of Mars will take place in February; it will be visible from northern Scandinavia, Russia, and areas of Asia. After 2025, the next lunar occultation of Mars observable to skywatchers in the U.S. won’t occur until 2042 — so ensure you don’t miss this astronomical display on January 13!