View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Can you see the little dot of light at about 1 o’clock on the moon’s edge? It’s the giant planet Jupiter, just emerging from being behind the moon on the morning of May 17, 2023. Gemini Brett in El Sobrante, California captured this image on May 17 and wrote: “Jupiter reemerges from behind the moon after occultation.” This event is called an occultation of Jupiter. It happened in near-daylit skies … but we got many amazing photos of this unique event, which you can see in gallery form on this page. Or see the photos in a new video from EarthSky’s Marcy Curran. Thank you, Gemini, and thanks to all who submitted photos!
On May 17, 2023, observers in areas that included northern Central America, northern Caribbean, most of North America, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, northern British Isles, Scandinavia and northwest Russia enjoyed an unusual sight. Bright Jupiter and the waning crescent moon were extremely close together. And, for some, the moon occulted (passed in front of) Jupiter. Even though in most areas the occulation occurred in morning twilight or daylight, we received many wonderful photos. So, here are some of our favorite photos of the event from the EarthSky community.
Photos as the moon occults Jupiter
EarthSky Community members snagged photos of the moments leading up to the occultation, with Jupiter near the lit limb of the crescent moon.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Todd Word of North Fort Worth, Texas, captured this image on May 17, 2023. Todd wrote: “Pulled over on the way to work because I had never seen the moon occult Jupiter before. The sky was kind of bright, but zooming in on the moon gave a better image.” Thank you, Todd!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tom Thompson of Eagle County, Colorado, captured this image of Jupiter and the waning crescent moon on May 17, 2023. Thank you, Tom!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Kerry Howard of Chromo, Colorado, captured this image on May 17, 2023. Kerry wrote: “I was lucky to spot the moon and Jupiter in this morning’s eastern sky.” We’re glad you were lucky, too. Thank you, Kerry!
More images of the moon and Jupiter from EarthSky Community Photos
Later, the bright point of Jupiter emerged from under the darkened portion of the moon around the one o’clock position.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Eliot Herman of Tucson, Arizona, captured this image on May 17, 2023 and wrote: “This image shows Jupiter about 10 min after exit when a hole appeared in the clouds. This image was captured in 830 nm infrared which is gray scale and then converted to blue to match my eyes view of the event with a silvery Moon and Jupiter in a blue background. To my eye this is close to my view. This image was captured with a 120 mm Takahshi refractor, a Nikon Z6II modified for 830 nm cutoff infrared, a Televue Powermate 2X. Processed with Photoshop from a single image. A relatively rare event that I just managed to see through the clouds.” Thank you, Eliot!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Gemini Brett captured this image on May 17, 2023, and wrote: “Jupiter reemerges from behind the Moon after occultation. You can also see a fuzzy Callisto who reemerged first.” Thank you, Gemini!
The moon and Jupiter on May 17
On the morning of May 17, 2023, the waning crescent moon was near Jupiter. And, for some, the moon occulted – covered – the gas giant planet.
Astronomers call this event an occultation. That is when one object in space passes in front of another. For example, in this case, the moon occulted Jupiter. Indeed, you could even say that the moon eclipsed Jupiter.
At the time, the thin waning crescent moon was only 5% illuminated when it occulted Jupiter. In addition, most places saw the occultation in daylight. Those further west in the areas of visibility saw the occultation occur near or before the sun rose. So, if your location was still dark, you could see Jupiter with the unaided eye as it got closer to the moon. However, they were certainly difficult to see in the morning twilight or daylight without optical aid.
It was a great photo op!
If you captured a picture of the moon occulting (or passing) Jupiter that you’d love to share, submit it to EarthSky Community Photos. We enjoy seeing your photos.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | James Valenti of Tumwater, Washington, captured this image and wrote: “This photo was taken minutes before the moon occulted Jupiter this morning, May 17, 2023.” See the tiny dot that is Jupiter in the 11 o’clock position on the moon’s lit edge? You can view the image larger here. Thank you, James! See more images of the moon and Jupiter below.
Bottom line: On the morning of May 17, 2023, many were watching as the moon passed in front of the giant planet Jupiter. Best photos of the event here!
EarthSky producer and editor Marcy Curran has enjoyed stargazing since she was a girl, going on family camping trips under the dark skies of Wyoming. You might know her best nowadays for her popular EarthSky Minute - which provides a heads up on that night's sky - at our YouTube channel. Marcy bought her first telescope in time to see Halley’s Comet in 1985. She co-founded her local astronomy club. And she taught astronomy at her local community college for over 20 years. Marcy and her husband live in Wyoming.
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