Simulated view for the emergence of Mars from behind the illuminated crescent during Saturday's Mars-Moon occultation (Photo courtesy of the Astronomical Society of India)
People can look up to the sky on Saturday to observe and enjoy the Moon-Mars conjunction, said Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG).
During this astronomical conjunction (also called an occultation), the red planet will be covered by the dark side of the Moon before it reappears from behind the illuminated part of the crescent.
According to NASA, following its disappearance, Mars will appear about seven degrees to the lower right of the crescent Moon.
The phenomenon will take place on Saturday from sunset to 11pm, Cairo time (+2 GMT), according to a statement by NRIAG on Saturday.
The NRIAG is organising a sighting event and has released an open invitation to people interested in astronomy, along with specialists and media figures, to attend the event at its headquarters in Helwan, read the statement.
While the NRIAG said it will offer specialised tools to its guests to clearly observe the occultation, various astronomy websites revealed that the phenomenon will be visible to the naked eye depending on weather conditions.
Astronomers Without Borders will host an online observing session for the astronomical incident.
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