Get your field glasses out! On Saturday (Jan. 4), skywatchers in the U.K. and the majority of Western and Central Europe will have the ability to see Saturn disappear behind the crescent moon– an occasion referred to as a lunar occultation. There are just 2 lunar occultations of Saturn in 2025, so you will not wish to miss this spectacular occasion.

To get the very best watching experience, pick a place that’s far from synthetic light and enable about half an hour for your eyes to get used to the dark.

Saturn is extremely intense, so you can quickly see it with your naked eyes. It’s finest to utilize a set of excellent field glasses or a yard telescope You can see Saturn as it grazes the edge of the moon. Field glasses or a telescope will permit you to see the moon’s craters in sharp relief, and you’ll even have the ability to identify Saturn’s rings and moons.

On Jan. 4, the moon will be a waxing crescent, about 19% brightenedThe moon and Saturn will be close together all night, so they will increase and set around the exact same time. The increase and set times will differ somewhat depending upon your area. You can utilize apps like Stellarium or websites like Time and Date to see when the moon and the worlds will increase and embed in your precise area.

Saturn will disappear behind the unilluminated part of the moon around 5:15 p.m. GMT, and will emerge from behind the lit up part of the moon around 6:30 p.m. GMT. These times will differ depending on your accurate place. You can enter your area in the sidebar on In-the-Skywhich will inform you a more accurate time.

The lunar occultation of Saturn will show up throughout the U.K. and the majority of Western and Central Europe, along with in parts of Northern Europe and Northern Africa. This map reveals the nations where this lunar occultation will show up.

The lunar occultation of Saturn will not be noticeable throughout the world, you will still be able to see the combination of the moon and Saturn if you miss out on the lunar occultation. Try to find Saturn and the moon in the southwestern sky. The moon will have to do with 30 degrees above the horizon.