What a week it is for Mars! The red planet was at its closest to Earth for this two-year period on January 12, 2025. It’ll reach opposition, bringing it opposite the sun in our sky, on January 15-16. And on January 13, it appeared very close to the full Wolf Moon. So close, in fact, that lucky observers in parts of North America, northwest Africa, the Azores and the Cape Verde Islands saw the moon pass in front of – or occult – Mars. Enjoy these occultation images from EarthSky’s talented community of photographers!
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | On January 13, 2025, the full Wolf Moon passed in front of Mars. This is what we call a lunar occultation of Mars. Gwen Forrester in DeKalb County, Tennessee, captured this stunning image of the reemergence of Mars after the occultation. Thank you, Gwen!
Mars near the moon
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jon Greif in Alpine, California, shared this photo and wrote: “Tonight’s full Wolf Moon from our backyard and a bonus! That’s the bright red planet Mars just below and left of the moon. Mars was closest to Earth for this 2-year period on January 12, and Mars will reach opposition [when Earth flies between it and the sun] on January 15-16.” Thank you, Jon!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Martha Sellenriek in Manchester, Missouri, submitted this wonderful image of Mars close to the moon last night. This is Martha’s first contribution to our Community Photos Page! Welcome to the family and thanks for sharing!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Marvin Price in Roswell, Georgia, captured the moon and Mars right before the occultation. Thank you, Marvin!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Suzanne Murphy in Middleton, Wisconsin, shared this image and commented: “Mars looks like it is kissing the moon before it disappeared during the lunar occultation of Mars. This is a bit blurry due to clouds.” Thank you, Suzanne!
Mars after the occultation
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Suzanne Murphy also submitted this image of Mars reappearing after the occultation. The event lasted about an hour. Thank you, Suzanne!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Patricia Evans in Seabrook, New Hampshire, shared this image with us and wrote: “I set up in my driveway to try to capture this celestial event. Just 2 minutes after Mars reappeared during this lunar occulation, it was clearly visible. Very exciting capture!” Indeed! Thank you, Patricia.View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Catherine Hyde in Shandon, California, wrote: “This is Mars just emerging on the upper right after tonight’s occultation of Mars by the moon.” Thank you!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Shaun Tarpley in League City, Texas, wrote: “The cloud cover was too heavy at the beginning of the occultation, so I had to wait until Mars reemerged on the other side of the moon. I took a video of Mars rising over the moon’s horizon, so I didn’t photograph the moon until afterward. There was extensive atmospheric distortion from clouds, so I took many images and processed the best one.” Looks great! Thank you, Shaun.
Lunar occultation of Mars
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Lisa Ann Fanning in Monmouth County, New Jersey, shared this composite image and wrote: “Finally a clear night here in NJ as Mars and the moon put on a nice game of hide and seek.” Haha! Right on time! Thank you.View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Alexander Krivenyshev in Manhattan, New York, captured the full event and shared this composite image with us. Thank you, Alexander!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Eliot Herman in Tucson, Arizona, shared this image and wrote: “It was a cold but reasonably clear night in Tucson with its usual dust. Mars was easy to spot with the eye, better in my guide telescope and looked great in the camera. Just before entry and just after exit shown.” Thank you, Eliot!
Bottom line: The full Wolf Moon passed in front of red Mars for some observers yesterday evening. Our Community Photos Page is full of images! Here are some of them for you to enjoy.
Cristina Ortiz - based in Granada, Spain - is EarthSky's defender of animals with her "lifeform" videos at EarthSky YouTube. Discover the most fascinating facts about all the beings with whom we share Earth. Are you ready for the adventure? Cristina has been an EarthSky.org editor since 2021. She has a master’s degree in translation and interpreting, specializing in science and technology. "Since I was a kid," she says, "I could feel that passion for science and communication."
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