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Mark your calendars, skywatchers! A breathtaking celestial event is about to grace the night skies this June 2025. The Moon is poised to pass incredibly close to Antares, the radiant red heart of the Scorpius constellation, in a spectacular event known as a lunar occultation.
This rare occurrence will be visible primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, especially over Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and parts of eastern Indonesia. If you’re in one of these regions, you’ll get to see the Moon move right in front of Antares, briefly blocking it from sight. For observers elsewhere, the Moon and Antares will appear to be in a dazzlingly close conjunction, forming a mesmerizing cosmic pair.
This guide will dive deep into the science, visibility, and viewing tips for this event, as well as explore the mythology and cultural significance of Antares and the Scorpius constellation. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast, a casual stargazer, or simply curious about the wonders of our universe, you won’t want to miss this stellar meetup.
What is a Lunar Occultation?
A lunar occultation occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of a star or planet, temporarily blocking it from view. These events are relatively rare and spectacular to witness, especially when the Moon obscures a bright and prominent star like Antares.
The term “occultation” comes from the Latin word occultare, meaning “to hide.” During the occultation, the background star disappears behind the Moon and then reappears minutes later, giving the effect of a cosmic vanishing act.
While the Moon regularly occults stars throughout the year, most of these stars are too faint to be noticed without a telescope. Antares is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, so this event will look especially striking and can be seen without a telescope
Meet Antares: The Fiery Heart of Scorpius
What is Antares?
Antares is a huge red star about 550 light-years away from Earth. Officially designated Alpha Scorpii, it is the brightest star in the Scorpius constellation and ranks among the top 15 brightest stars in the night sky.
The name Antares comes from Ancient Greek and means “rival of Mars” because its bright red color looks a lot like the planet Mars. This crimson glow is due to the star’s cool surface temperature of around 3,400 K and its immense size, over 700 times the Sun’s diameter.
If Antares were in the middle of our Solar System, it would be so big that it would swallow up Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
The Scorpius Constellation
Scorpius is one of the easiest star patterns to spot in the Southern Hemisphere’s sky. Resembling the shape of a scorpion, the constellation is steeped in mythological lore—most notably the story of Orion the Hunter, who was fatally stung by a scorpion, immortalized as Scorpius.
Antares sits in the heart of the scorpion, acting as its fiery core, while the long curve of stars trailing below outlines the creature’s curling tail.
When and Where to See the Moon-Antares Occultation
Date of the Event
The event will take place on the night of June 21–22, 2025, depending on your location and time zone. The Moon will be nearly full, adding a bright backdrop to this incredible astronomical show.
Regions of Visibility
- Lunar Occultation (where Antares will be completely hidden by the Moon):
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Eastern Indonesia
- Close Conjunction Only (no occultation, but the Moon and Antares will appear extremely close):
- South Asia (India, Sri Lanka)
- Southeast Asia
- Southern Africa
- South America
- Southern United States
Viewing Time and Directions
For those in visibility zones:
- Look northeast after sunset, around 7 PM to 10 PM local time.
- The Moon will be high above the horizon, making it easy to spot.
- Use a stargazing app or telescope for precise timings in your city.
How to Watch the Moon-Antares Encounter
1. Naked Eye Observation
This event is bright enough to enjoy without any equipment. Go somewhere dark, away from city lights, and look toward the northeastern sky after the sun goes down. You’ll see the nearly full Moon shining brightly next to a red-orange “star”—Antares.
In places with lunar occultation, you’ll observe Antares suddenly disappear behind the Moon and reemerge minutes later—a captivating experience.
2. With Binoculars or a Telescope
Binoculars will enhance the view and make Antares’ color more vivid. A small telescope will allow you to see the precise moment Antares is eclipsed by the lunar limb, especially fascinating at high magnification.
For astrophotographers, a telephoto lens or telescope camera can capture this rare alignment in stunning detail.
3. Online Streams
If you’re outside the occultation zone or experiencing cloudy skies, check space observatories or astronomy groups for live-streaming broadcasts of the event.
Why Is This Event Special?
1. Rarity and Beauty
While the Moon frequently passes near bright stars, lunar occultations of Antares are less frequent and highly dependent on your location. Watching such a bright red giant star get hidden by the Moon is a rare and special experience.
2. Educational Opportunity
This is a fantastic moment to teach kids or students about astronomy, lunar motion, star distances, and the dynamics of celestial alignments.
3. Myth and Meaning
Throughout history, Antares has been associated with war, royalty, and cosmic change. In ancient Babylon and Persia, it was one of the four royal stars, marking seasonal transitions. Seeing the Moon obscure it feels like witnessing a celestial dance rooted in deep human tradition.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Antares in Ancient Civilizations
- Babylonian Astronomy: Antares (called “Dar Lugal”) was one of the four “Watcher Stars” and associated with the season of autumn.
- Māori Mythology: In New Zealand, Antares is known as Rehua, a sacred star associated with summer and healing.
- Greek and Roman Myths: Antares is the heart of the Scorpion who killed Orion. To prevent conflict in the sky, Orion and Scorpius were placed on opposite sides of the sky dome—when one rises, the other sets.
Lunar Occultations in Astrology
In traditional astrology, occultations were often viewed as portents—symbolic events with spiritual significance. The Moon temporarily hiding Antares may be interpreted as a moment of hidden passions, revealed truths, or cosmic reset.
Fun Facts About the Moon and Antares
- The Moon moves across the sky at roughly 0.5° per hour, fast enough that short occultations like this happen in minutes.
- Antares is so large that if it exploded as a supernova, it would briefly shine brighter than the full Moon in our sky.
- Occultations occur more frequently when the Moon is near full, making the effect more dramatic.
- Occultations can happen with planets, too—sometimes the Moon even occults Jupiter or Saturn, creating spectacular sky shows.
