Saturn Photobombs the Moon in Dramatic Celestial Moment

 By 
Amanda Wills
 on 
Saturn Photobombs the Moon in Dramatic Celestial Moment
Saturn makes its way our from behind the moon on Aug. 4, 2014. Credit: Slooh Space Telescope

Saturn peeked out from behind the moon on Monday as our lunar friend eclipsed the giant ringed planet.

The iconic rings of Saturn were visible as it danced around the bright-white moon. This type of event is called an occultation -- something that happens when a larger body covers up a distant object.

It's especially dramatic when it involves a particularly bright subject, like Saturn.

Occultation of #Saturn by #Moon tonight was amazing pic.twitter.com/qDR0Qa3b7G— Jenny Mina (@jenny_mina) August 4, 2014

People in Australia could actually see the event without a telescope.

It was visible with the naked eye even in some polluted cities, though to those without a telescope Saturn looked like a bright light and its rings were not distinguishable.

Mashable Image
Saturn's path from behind the moon, as seen from Australia on Monday. Credit: SkySafari

However, amateur stargazers around the world were able to watch live with the Slooh Space Telescope.

The Saturn occultation from @Slooh very very cool #astronomy #space #moon #Saturn pic.twitter.com/aHS0hWCYXt— Nick Howes (@NickAstronomer) August 4, 2014

August is a particularly good month for astronomy-lovers and skywatchers as four bright planets are visible this month. Saturn and Mars are brightest in the west-southwestern sky in the evenings. And, just before sunrise in the east-northeastern sky, Venus and Jupiter are also visible.

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