Why Can the Moon Occult (Cover) a Star or Planet?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why can the Moon occult (cover) a star or planet?

The Big Idea

The Moon can occult, or cover, a star or planet because it drifts east among the stars! As it moves, it can slide in front of a star or planet and briefly hide it, like a sky eclipse of a pinpoint. Occultation means the Moon is a sky curtain!

The Moon Drifts

Step one: the Moon drifts east. Each hour, the Moon moves about its own width eastward among the stars. It is much closer than any star, so it slides across the sky in front of them.

In Front

Step two: it moves in front. If a star or planet is in the Moon's path, the Moon passes right in front of it. The star winks out in an instant, since it is just a pinpoint.

Back Again

Step three: it comes back. A little while later, the star pops out again on the other side of the Moon. Planets disappear and reappear more slowly, because they look like tiny disks.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The Moon glides along its path. A star or planet is just behind it. For a short time, it is hidden. Then it pops out again on the other side.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The word occult here means to cover or hide, nothing spooky. The Moon can cover the bright star Regulus, and even planets like Venus. A star can vanish in less than a second. Watch the sky with a grown-up, and never look at the Sun.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Watch for Moon-near-planet nights on a sky calendar. Ask a grown-up to help you find one. Does the Moon cover anything? Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Occultation is the Moon acting as a sky curtain. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!