Moon to occult Venus in daylight over Saudi Arabia today

Saudi Arabia will witness a rare astronomical event on Monday, as Venus passes behind the moon during daylight hours. The phenomenon will be visible from various regions across the Kingdom and most Arab countries.

The Noor Astronomy Association explained that this occultation occurs when the moon moves in front of Venus from the perspective of observers on Earth, temporarily blocking the planet from view as both bodies align along the same line of sight.

Association president Issa Al-Ghufaili said the moon and Venus will be about 40 degrees away from the sun, allowing the event to be observed during the day with appropriate astronomical equipment. He emphasized the importance of extreme caution, warning against pointing binoculars, telescopes, or cameras toward the sun without certified solar filters.

Al-Ghufaili noted that the occultation will be visible from northern, central, and southern regions of the Kingdom, with the timing varying by location. At the Noor Astronomy Observatory in Qassim, the event will begin at 1:04 p.m. and last until 2:38 p.m. local time, when Venus will reappear from behind the moon.

He added that the phenomenon offers an opportunity to observe the apparent motion of celestial bodies and to better understand the geometric relationship between the moon, planets, and sun from an Earth-based perspective. It also allows the public to verify the accuracy of astronomical calculations.