Moon Occults Mars on Jan 13, 2025!

[Wayne Baggett]

Hi,

I just saw this on Spaceweather.com (https://www.spaceweather.com/) and
thought I'd share it.

On the evening of January 13, 2025, the Full Moon will occult Mars at
about 9:17pm EST (time is for Baltimore, not Columbia). Since Mars it at
opposition, it is as large as it will get this year at 14.6arcsec. 
Since the Moon moves across the sky at approximately 1800arcsec/hour, or
about 0.5arcsec/sec, it will take about 30 seconds for the Moon to cover
Mars (accurate info depends on many factors that I have not
considered).  This is a spectacular observing and imaging opportunity,
assuming clear skies.  Mars' reappearance will be at 10:31pm EST (time
is for Baltimore). Detailed info for many locations can be found at the
International Occultation Timing Association's (IOTA) web page at
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/planets/0114mars.htm
if you are interested in observing this event.

Hopefully we will have clear skies and good seeing that night!

Wayne