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The moon engaged in a celestial performance alongside Mars this week.
On Monday evening (Jan. 13), the Full Wolf Moon moved in front of Mars in an event known as a lunar occultation, where another heavenly body appears to vanish behind the moon from our perspective on Earth. Mars is nearing opposition on Wednesday (Jan. 15), the point at which it is situated directly across from the sun as viewed from our planet, making it shine the brightest in our night sky at this moment. Moreover, Mars recently passed perigee on Jan. 12, its nearest approach to Earth in its orbit around the sun, resulting in it appearing slightly larger in the sky.
The outcome? A breathtaking lunar occultation of Mars visible to vast portions of North America and western Africa. Fortunately, numerous skywatchers, photographers, and Space.com readers documented the event in the stunning images below.
Photographer Peter Jay captured the Red Planet hovering just above the moon’s northern edge from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jay documented the lunar occultation of Mars at various moments throughout the episode, which lasted just under one hour as the Red Planet traversed behind the moon before reappearing again on the other side.
Lisa Shislowski of Plantation, Florida shared the image of the occultation below.
“This evening was filled with so many thrilling occurrences with the first full moon of 2025/Wolf Moon and the lunar occultation of Mars 2025,” Shislowski stated to Space.com via email.
“The cityscape from Vista View Park in Davie, Broward County, Florida presented a clear view of the Wolf Moon rising through the clouds on the horizon. It was more vibrant and luminous as it ascended. A little later in the evening, the lunar occultation of Mars was approaching, and the tiny dot was the incredible planet of Mars that had just emerged beside the Wolf Moon.”
Josh Dagenais captured the moon and Mars from Hanover Park, Illinois.
“This was a shot from my driveway. I was truly thrilled to start seeing Mars hours before it crossed paths tonight. The greatest challenge was keeping warm as it was 13F (-10C). It was my first time witnessing something like this, and a first experience shooting it too,” Dagenais shared with Space.com via email. “I was fortunate with the viewing conditions, eagerly anticipating the eclipse in March,”
Reader Michael Tyo managed to capture the ongoing occultation of Mars from Marlboro, Massachusetts using an 800mm prime lens and a Canon R7 body.
David J. Kim observed Mars peeking from behind the moon from Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Kim captured the scene using a Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon XF 150-600mm lens, taken at f8/600mm and f11/840mm with a 1.4x TC.
Other photographers outside the visibility range of the lunar occultation of Mars captured the full moon glowing solo in the night sky.
Robbie Pesiwarissa of Sydney, Australia witnessed the Full Wolf Moon appearing enormous in the sky above Sydney Airport due to the moon illusion.
“As the twilight deepened, the Qantas Jet soared elegantly from Sydney Airport in Mascot, while the enchanting Wolf Moon ascended above the renowned structures of the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The evening was warm and humid, a typical summer’s embrace that added a sense of enchantment to the atmosphere,” Pesiwarissa recounted via email.
“With only a fleeting few moments available, I capitalized on the chance to photograph the moon in all its ethereal magnificence while it lingered near the horizon. Unfortunately, the clouds soon encroached, obscuring the moon,”obscuring it from view.”
Photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba captured the full moon radiating luminously over South Korean flags in Seoul.
Renowned NASA photographer Bill Ingalls observed the Full Wolf Moon emerging above the Lincoln Memorial and Memorial Bridge on Monday (Jan. 13) from Arlington, Virginia near NASA headquarters in Washington.
TOP TELESCOPE RECOMMENDATION:
Want to observe the moon’s features up close? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is perfect for novices seeking dependable, quality, and swift views of astronomical bodies. For a detailed review of the Celestron NexStar 4SE, read more here.
If you seek binoculars or a telescope to view Mars or the moon, our guides for the finest binoculars and the top telescopes can assist you in finding what you require. Don’t forget to check our guides for tips on how to capture photos of the planets before Mars reaches opposition this week.
Editor’s Note: If you snap an excellent image of Mars and wish to share it with readers of Space.com, send your photo(s), comments, alongside your name and location to [email protected].
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