Play peek-a-boo with Jupiter

On December 7, observers in parts of North America can witness the Moon passing in front of Jupiter.
By | Published: December 2, 2004 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

December 2, 2004
Have you ever played peek-a-boo with an infant? As your face magically disappears and reappears from behind a curtain, the child squeals with delight. On Tuesday, many early-morning skywatchers may have the same reaction as they play the game with the Moon and Jupiter.
Lunar occultation of Jupiter
The Moon occults Jupiter on the morning of December 7, although the waning crescent will be fatter than it was during this August 1990 event. Find a location near you in the table below to learn when Jupiter will disappear and reappear during this month’s occultation.
Adrian New
In the predawn hours of December 7, the waning crescent Moon will occult Jupiter. An occultation occurs when a larger appearing object passes in front of a smaller one, temporarily obscuring all or part of the background object from view. Lunar occultations of stars are fairly common, but when the Moon passes in front of a bright planet like Jupiter, it’s a real celestial treat.

Observers in most of eastern and central North America will have an opportunity to see this naked-eye event. Facing southeast, you will spot the duo about one-third of the way up in the sky. Most will see a total occultation, but observers along different areas of the Moon’s path will see our satellite occult different parts of Jupiter and its Galilean moons.

Although the lunar occultation will dazzle naked-eye observers, this sky event will provide an added bonus for those using telescopes. Watch for the reappearance of two of the four Galilean moons before Jupiter passes from behind the Moon. Callisto and Ganymede will be visible roughly 5 to 15 minutes before their parent planet. After Jupiter reappears, Europa will show up a couple of minutes afterward. Jupiter will temporarily block Io, the final satellite of this quartet. Io will join the others shortly thereafter. Even if you’re using a small telescope, that’s two occultations for the price of one!

Read the chart below to find the best times to view Jupiter’s disappearing and reappearing act.

Jupiter occultation — December 7
city disappearance reappearance
Atlanta 3:55 a.m. EST 4:53 a.m. EST
Boston 3:59 a.m. EST 5:08 a.m. EST
Chicago 2:50 a.m. CST 3:54 a.m. CST
Dallas 2:56 a.m. CST 3:37 a.m. CST
Houston 3:06 a.m. CST 3:29 a.m. CST
Kansas City 2:49 a.m. CST 3:48 a.m. CST
Miami 4:15 a.m. EST 4:46 a.m. EST
Nashville 2:52 a.m. CST 3:52 a.m. CST
Pittsburgh 3:53 a.m. EST 5:00 a.m. EST
Washington, D.C. 3:54 a.m. EST 5:03 a.m. EST
For a more thorough listing, visit the International Occultation Timing Association’s web site.

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