The term "occult full moon" refers to a phenomenon where the moon is hidden from view during its full phase, typically due to an eclipse. Unlike a regular full moon, which illuminates the night sky with its bright presence, an occult full moon is shrouded in darkness, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. Occultations occur when the moon passes directly behind the Earth, causing it to be momentarily blocked from our view. This can happen during a lunar eclipse, when the Earth casts its shadow on the moon, or during a solar eclipse, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily obscuring the moon's reflection of sunlight. During an occult full moon, the moon's absence from the night sky can invoke a sense of intrigue and wonder. Many cultures and societies throughout history have attached mystical and supernatural significance to the moon, believing it to hold great power and influence.
Many cultures and societies throughout history have attached mystical and supernatural significance to the moon, believing it to hold great power and influence. The occult nature of the full moon adds an extra layer of mysticism, fueling beliefs in magic, spiritual energies, and hidden forces. In various occult and esoteric practices, the full moon is believed to be a time of heightened spiritual energy and power.
Moon occults Mars tonight: How to watch
December 7 to 8 is a busy night as the full moon occults Mars just hours before Mars’s once-in-2-years opposition. Read more and find links below. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
The moon occults Mars on December 7-8
Here’s hoping you have clear skies on the night of December 7-8, 2022, because there’s much to see! First, the full moon is up all night, near bright red Mars.
You say you’ve looked that night, and can’t see Mars near the moon? That might be because you’re looking when Mars is behind the moon. In fact, the moon will pass in front of the red planet, as seen from much of North America and Europe, on the night of December 7-8. Astronomers call this event an occultation. The moon is said to occult Mars. It eclipses it, or covers it.
This fascinating and unusual event appears to North American skywatchers who are northwest of a diagonal line drawn from Augusta, Maine, through Columbus, Ohio, through Little Rock, Arkansas, and San Antonio, Texas, extending into Mexico. The map below will let you know if your part of the world gets to view the occultation.
You can see the moon occult Mars if you’re within the shaded area on this map. Image via Dominic Ford/ In-the-Sky.org. Used with permission. This chart – from our friends at SkyandTelescope.com – shows the path of the moon in front of Mars on the night of December 7-8, 2022, as seen from various cities in North America. You can also watch the event online.
Who will see the moon occults Mars? And when?
If you’re in the viewing area indicated on the chart above, you’ll also need a precise time for your location. The event will happen on the evening of December 7 for most of us in North America. Check out In-the-Sky.org to find the precise time Mars will disappear and reappear from wherever you are.
For those who live outside the viewing area, as in the southeastern United States, you’ll see the moon and Mars skim right past each other. Some places will even get to see Mars play peekaboo along the cratered and mountainous limb of the moon.
Here are some livestreams for the Mars occultation:
The Virtual Telescope Project, based in Rome, Italy, will host an online observing event showing the Mars occultation to people worldwide. Details on Virtual Telescope’s event here.
What will you see?
A full moon is bright. And it’s totally illuminated as seen from Earth. People who observe occultations typically try to catch both the disappearance and reappearance of the star or planet, as it’s blotted from view. But this sort of observation is much easier if you watching a darkened edge of the moon. And we don’t have a darkened edge available to us at full moon. By definition, a full moon is entirely illuminated, as seen from Earth.
Plus most regular occultation observers use telescopes (such as those observers hosting the livestreams listed above).
So what will you see of the December 7-8 occultation of Mars, if you try to watch in the sky? The answer depends on how hard you try, what tools you use, where you are on Earth – as always, on the quality of your night sky – and on your skill at observing events like this.
Mars is at its brightest now. So, with the eye alone, we should all be able to spot Mars in the moon’s glare.
But you’ll see more if you use binoculars. And even more with a telescope (although the glare of the full moon will be intense through your ‘scope’s eyepiece).
And, wow, what a great photo opportunity!
It’ll be a tricky observation. But many will be watching. As veteran skywatcher Bob King (aka AstroBob of the Duluth News Tribune) wrote at SkyandTelescope.com:
I’m really curious if we’ll continue to see Mars with the unaided eye right up to the moon’s edge. I suspect we will. Also, at what point will the planet disappear from view as it dips behind the moon? Keep those binoculars handy! Telescopic observers will get fabulous views, especially those living within the southern graze zone, where the moon will partially occult the planet.
On the evening of December 7, 2022, in much of North America and in the early morning hours of December 8, 2022, for much of Europe, the moon occults Mars. Check In-the-Sky.org for precise timing of the disappearance and reappearance of Mars from your location. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Why is it happening?
Earth goes between the sun and Mars about every two years. That’ll happen around 6 UTC (12 a.m. CST) on December 8. This is Mars’ opposition, an event we astronomers wait for, and enjoy.
A full moon happens every month. And this month’s full moon comes just a couple of hours before Mars’ time of opposition, at 04:08 UTC on December 8, 2022 (10:08 p.m. CST on December 7).
A full moon appears full to us because it’s opposite the sun from Earth. And Mars – or any outer planet – is opposite the sun from Earth at opposition. So it’s no surprise that this month’s full moon is somewhere near Mars. Planets are always near the full moon sometime around their time of their oppositions.
What’s so special in 2022 is that these events – full moon and Mars’ opposition – happen so near each other in time. Around 4 to 6 UTC on December 8, the sun, Earth, moon and Mars will be nearly in a line.
And, what’s more, the full moon won’t just pass near Mars in the sky. Its path across the sky (which varies in an 18-year cycle) is such in 2022 that it’ll pass directly in front of Mars.
On December 7 and 8, 2022, an alignment occurs with the sun, Earth, moon and Mars all in a straight line. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Bottom line: On the night of December 7-8, 2022, the full moon will occult, or cover over, Mars. Just hours later, Earth will pass between Mars and the sun. Details here.
This fascinating and unusual event appears to North American skywatchers who are northwest of a diagonal line drawn from Augusta, Maine, through Columbus, Ohio, through Little Rock, Arkansas, and San Antonio, Texas, extending into Mexico. The map below will let you know if your part of the world gets to view the occultation.
Occultists may perform rituals, spells, or other ceremonial activities during the full moon, harnessing the lunar energy for their purposes. Some may even believe that the occult full moon holds a special connection to otherworldly realms or entities, facilitating communication or communion with the spiritual realm. While occult full moons may hold deep symbolic meaning for those who practice esoteric traditions, it is important to note that the occult full moon is not a scientifically recognized term. It is a concept rooted in mythology, folklore, and metaphysical beliefs rather than empirical evidence. However, the allure and mystery surrounding the occult full moon continues to captivate the human imagination, inspiring art, literature, and spiritual practices to this day..
Reviews for "Navigating the Unknown: An Introduction to the Occult Full Moon"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Occult full moon". The plot was confusing and all over the place, making it difficult to follow and understand what was happening. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them or care about their fates. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found this movie to be a major letdown and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I have to say, "Occult full moon" was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The acting was flat and unconvincing, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy at best. The special effects were poorly executed and looked cheap, taking away from any potential suspense or horror. Additionally, the story itself was predictable and lacked originality. It felt like a cliché, cookie-cutter horror film that offered nothing new or interesting. Save yourself the time and skip this one.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "Occult full moon" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The concept seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The cinematography was mediocre, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The jump scares were predictable and lacked any real impact. The film relied too heavily on tropes and clichés, making it difficult to take seriously. Overall, I found "Occult full moon" to be a forgettable and unremarkable addition to the horror genre.