occultation

noun

oc·cul·ta·tion ˌä-(ˌ)kəl-ˈtā-shən

: the state of being hidden from view or lost to notice

: the interruption of the light from a celestial body or of the signals from a spacecraft by the intervention of a celestial body

especially : an eclipse of a star or planet by the moon

Examples of occultation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Because the moon is so close to Earth relative to Mars, only certain parts of the world will be able to witness tonight's occultation. —

Brett Tingley, Space.com, 9 Feb. 2025 At the time of the occultation, Mars was 59.7 million miles (96.1 million kilometers) away from Earth, while the moon was 224,000 miles (360,000 kilometers) distant. —

Jamie Carter, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 The next lunar occultation of Mars visible across most of the United States will happen on the night of February 4–5, 2042. —

Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025 The occultation will happen at a different time, depending on the location of the viewer. —

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for occultation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English occultacion, borrowed from Latin occultātiōn-, occultātiō "concealment, interruption of light from a celestial body," from occultāre "to prevent from being seen, conceal, keep secret" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at occult entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of occultation was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century