Catch a rare lunar occultation of Jupiter plus Saturn at opposition in early October

A rare lunar occultation of Jupiter and Saturn at opposition is expected in early October 2026. The event, centered on October 6, will occur in the early morning hours, with the moon covering Jupiter as it moves across its sky. The moon is a 20% illuminated waning crescent, and Jupiter will reappear from behind its dark limb. The occultation will take place in the eastern contiguous United States and Canada, with specific times listed by the IOTA. Jupiter, at magnitude -1.9, will be 34" in apparent size and will take a full minute to disappear or reappear. This event is one of the best-placed and top skywatching events for 2026.

The moon will move by its own apparent diameter of half a degree about once every hour, though ingress and egress times will vary based on location. The next good lunar occultation of Jupiter for the CONUS is not until the middle of the next decade, on September 28, 2034. Saturn reaches opposition in 2026 on October 4, placing it near the corner of the non-zodiacal constellation Cetus the Whale. The rings of Saturn will again reach their widest tilt in 2031, with a tilt of 12 degrees in late 2026. The Seeliger effect, a retroreflective phenomenon, is already underway, with a surge of about 0.3 magnitudes in brightness. This effect is especially prominent due to Saturn's extended rings, and it is worth watching for enigmatic spokes on Saturn's rings. The event is a rare opportunity for skywatching, with the moon becoming up to half a dozen times as bright as a 50% illuminated first- or last-quarter moon.

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