In a rare celestial show that came as treat for sky-watchers, the Moon aligned itself with three planets and of the biggest stars visible from Earth.
The Moon blocked Venus, Mars, Mercury along with the star Regulus, in the Leo constellation, during a 24-hour period of occultations. When the Moon passes in front of something besides the sun, it’s called an occultation.
The Moon aligning with other celestial bodies is not rare in the solar system, but this particular arrangement occurs just once every 28 years.
The last time the Moon slid past three planets within 24 hours was on March 5, 2008 with Mercury, Venus and Neptune. A report in New York Times claims that the next time such an arrangement will occur is in 2036.
The rare occurrence of the Moon was captured in Asia and Australia. Early in the morning, the Moon went over Venus and Regulus. The entire process was like, Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Regulus swallowed by the Moon.
Moon blocks out Venus, Mars, Mercury and a star after 28 years
Many celestial bodies were involved in the process, which is very rare to find in an occultation which usually involves a single celestial body.
The rare action was also witnessed by the people of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
Media reports suggest that some astronomers were able to detect Hertha and Nepthys, two large asteroids covered by the Moon during the occultation.
