When one celestial object passes in front of another, it can cast a shadow that travels across space – and sometimes across Earth. These moments of alignment, known as eclipses, occultations, and transits, allow scientists to study distant objects in remarkable ways. By observing how light changes when an object briefly blocks another, astronomers can measure sizes and shapes, detect atmospheres, and refine the orbits of asteroids and planets.
Posted on
March 23, 2026
Sign up for our newsletter:
Categories
25
31
1
1
2
81
1
25
64
37
18
1
18
29
41
10
20
15
349
4
43
6
2
1
42
1
2
14
102
1
6
153
16
100
1
1
38
4
101
1
1
3
10
2
57
1
189
133
3
3
1
10
9
1
1
22
2
11
5
6
10
3
1
11
35
40
5
9
1
5
2
4
2
1
330
2
25
1
1
336
12
20
1
106
1
3
1
2
14
1
613
10
11
4
1
7
51
23
24
287
140
13
6
1
3
2
2
18
1
2
3
1
253
52
31
1
1
6
13
340
15
117
1
10
1
1
4
10
1
26
15
4
215
12
2
1
11
1
29
166
1
188
1
1
9
1
4
2
3
50
15
1
6
93
2
8
14
3
3
2
1
1
1
41
205
1
10
131
6
18
29
17
1
2
1
4
149
3
377
3