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
3
3
13
10
2
2
6
10
373
10
1
1
1
1
149
3
41
34
5
1
1
271
2
1
57
14
124
14
1
5
30
11
2
45
2
10
1
226
4
1
10
1
1
10
2
37
10
14
8
20
2
1
3
2
296
42
1
7
3
1
10
16
17
134
1
640
33
214
6
1
1
3
1
1
1
377
26
10
1
18
10
47
353
1
1
68
2
1
1
7
44
1
29
17
5
1
2
6
2
39
4
1
17
21
1
1
110
13
10
203
1
198
105
163
1
1
51
104
21
3
10
55
1
3
33
3
6
395
6
44
62
33
4
26
93
38
137
1
2
2
11
2
25
4
2
18
17
18
2
1
4
29
5
110
48
13
108
4
13
1
12
1
15
6
14
12
12
1
35
5
360
2
8
3
18
5
180
1
6
1
14
1
2
1
155
3
2
Blog Posts
APOD: 2026 August 8 – A Messier Moment for Tempel 2
August 8, 2026
2026 IGARSS Hyperwall Schedule
August 7, 2026
NASA’s IXPE Studies Magnetar
August 7, 2026