Make a date with the moon on Saturday, March 4.
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A bright orange star will vanish behind the moon this weekend, and you don't need a telescope to watch
Most people in the US can watch the moon block a bright star called Aldebaran on Saturday, March 4. Some will even see it "graze" Earth's natural satellite.
A waxing first-quarter moon.
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If you live in the United States and the weather cooperates, chances are good that you can watch a bright star called Aldebaran briefly disappear that evening.
What's more, all you need are your naked eyes — no telescope or binoculars required (though they'd definitely help).
Most of the contiguous US at night and Hawaii during the day should be able to watch the astronomical event unfold. While the exact moment depends on your location, we've included a rough map and observation times below.
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We first learned about this stellar occultation, as it's called, from a story by David W. Dunham at Sky & Telescope.
While occultations of stars and planets are incredibly common, Dunham says "[i]t can't get much better than this," thanks to the phase of the moon and its lower brightness.
"The orange star will appear to approach the Moon from the dark side, passing very close to the northern cusp," according to an image posted by the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA).
Those who live along a "graze line" will see Aldebaran kiss the top of the moon instead of making the star entirely disappear.
The graze line will make a very thin track across parts of Washington state, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
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North of the graze line, viewers won't see the occultation. (If you live south of the US, the southern graze line of the occultation is shown in this IOTA map.)
Here's a rough map of where the occultation will be visible:
And here are a few key locations and times for when Aldebaran will disappear and reappear from behind the moon, according to IOTA and Sky & Telescope:
For more locations and other information about "Aldebaran's disappearing act" on Saturday, read Dunham's story at Sky & Telescope.
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IOTA has even more details on the event, including exact time tables, regional weather maps, and more.
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