on January 4, 2025, skywatchers around the world witnessed a rare celestial event: the Moon occulting Saturn. This phenomenon, where Saturn appeared to travel behind the Moon from Earth’s perspective, was captured in stunning detail by astrophysicist and photographer Dr. Gianluca Masi. Using a remote-controlled telescope as part of the Virtual Telescope Project, Masi documented the event from Manciano, Italy, creating a composite image that showcases the beauty of this astronomical alignment.
The occultation began at 17:43 UTC when Saturn disappeared behind the dark portion of the Moon. At the time, the waxing crescent Moon was approximately 25% illuminated. Forty-seven minutes later,Saturn reemerged from behind the moon’s illuminated edge. “What a memorable view, we were happy to bring the chance to see this to the worldwide community,” masi shared. The entire event was live-streamed on YouTube, allowing viewers globally to experiance this rare occurrence in real-time.
The Virtual Telescope Project, founded by Masi in 2006, provides remote access to robotic telescopes, enabling people worldwide to explore the cosmos. The project relies on generous donations to continue offering free and low-cost access to its facilities. “We beleive everyone has the right to access and discover our marvelous universe, as this makes us better humans,” the project states.
Below is a summary of key details about the event:
| Event | Details |
|————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Date | January 4,2025 |
| Start Time (UTC) | 17:43 |
| End Time (UTC) | 18:30 |
| Moon Phase | Waxing crescent (25% illuminated) |
| Location | Manciano,Italy |
| Telescope Used | ARTEC250+Paramount ME+C3Pro61000EC robotic unit |
| Live Stream | Available on YouTube |
For those who missed the live event, a replay of the occultation is available on the Virtual Telescope Project’s YouTube channel. This project continues to inspire and educate, offering a gateway to the wonders of the universe for aspiring astronomers everywhere. To learn more or support their mission, visit their website.
