Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2025 January 15
      [2]Earth's moon is shown in full phase. At the top of the frame,
   appearing much smaller, is the more distant planet Mars. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                           Wolf Moon Engulfs Mars
                  Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Imran Sultan

   Explanation: Does the Moon ever engulf Mars? Yes, but only in the sense
   that it moves in front, which happens on [4]rare occasions. This
   happened just yesterday, though, as seen from some locations in
   [5]North America and western Africa. [6]This occultation was notable
   not only because the Moon was a fully lit [7]Wolf Moon, but because
   Mars was near its largest and brightest, moving to [8]opposition -- the
   closest to the Earth in its orbit -- only tomorrow. The [9]engulfing,
   more formally called an [10]occultation, typically lasting about an
   hour. The [11]featured image was taken from near [12]Chicago,
   [13]Illinois, [14]USA just as [15]Earth's largest satellite was
   angularly moving away from the much more distant [16]red planet. Our
   [17]Moon occasionally moves in front of all of the [18]Solar System's
   planets. Given the temporary alignment of [19]orbital planes, the
   [20]next time our [21]Moon eclipses Mars will be a relatively soon
   February 9.

         Growing Gallery: [22]Moon-Mars Occultation in January 2025
                    Tomorrow's picture: galactic pinwheel
     __________________________________________________________________

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    Authors & editors: [34]Robert Nemiroff ([35]MTU) & [36]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([37]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [38]Specific rights apply.
            [39]NASA Web Privacy, [40]Accessibility, [41]Notices;
                A service of: [42]ASD at [43]NASA / [44]GSFC,
                         [45]NASA Science Activation
                           & [46]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2501/MoonMars_Sultan_960.jpg
   3. https://www.instagram.com/imran.astro/
   4. https://earthsky.org/tonight/best-stargazing-of-2025-events-planets-moon-stars/
   5. https://in-the-sky.org/news/occultations/occultation_20250114_0349_visibility.png
   6. https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20250114_16_100
   7. https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/wolf.html
   8. https://spider.seds.org/spider/Mars/marsopps.html
   9. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=652639413632533
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occultation
  11. https://www.instagram.com/p/DEzq_L4RiAa/
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6DtEAYgOsM
  13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois
  14. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-states/
  15. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240724.html
  16. https://science.nasa.gov/mars/
  17. https://science.nasa.gov/moon/
  18. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/solar-system/
  19. https://blogs.nasa.gov/Watch_the_Skies/wp-content/uploads/sites/193/2020/10/Opposition_Conjunction.jpg
  20. https://astropixels.com/almanac/almanac21/almanac2025est.html
  21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap030724.html
  22. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.597841612944420&type=3
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250114.html
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  27. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  29. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  30. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  31. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  32. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=250115
  33. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250116.html
  34. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  35. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  36. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  37. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  38. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  40. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  41. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  42. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  43. https://www.nasa.gov/
  44. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  45. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  46. http://www.mtu.edu/