Article
Article
Occultation
Article By:
Bosh, Amanda S. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Last reviewed:December 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.463700
The temporary blocking from view of one celestial body by another. The occulting body is the one closer to the observer; it may be a planet, a moon, a ring system, or another body, usually in the solar system. The occulted body is smaller in apparent, projected size and is usually a distant star, although it can also be a spacecraft radio signal, as in the case of the Voyager spacecraft radio occultations at the outer planets, or another solar system body. Examples of occultations are that of a star by a planet, a lunar occultation of a star and an occultation by Pluto of its satellite Charon. Although a solar eclipse is not usually thought of in these terms, this event is actually an occultation of the Sun by the Moon. See also: Planet; Satellite (astronomy); Solar system
The content above is only an excerpt.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information
