Moon Blocks Jupiter in Rare Sky Alignment
The lunar occultation was visible across parts of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, with Jupiter and Mars closest on November 15.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Space
On November 3, 2026, the moon passed so close to Jupiter that it briefly blocked the planet from view for observers in parts of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Jupiter and Mars reach their closest approach on November 15, when they lie a little more than two moon-widths apart.
Why it matters
The alignment gives skywatchers around the world a sequence of notable viewing opportunities through late November. Jupiter remains visible until sunrise, and the planets sit in front of the radiant point of the Leonid meteor shower.
The Jupiter-Mars closest approach on November 15, 2026 places the two planets a little more than two moon-widths apart in the night sky. The source does not detail how widely the November 3 occultation was documented beyond observers in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
The players
Michael Teoh
A Malaysian astrophotographer who captured the first lunar occultation of Jupiter and images of two of Jupiter's moons in early November.
The details
Malaysian astrophotographer Michael Teoh captured the first lunar occultation of Jupiter in early November, along with images of two of Jupiter's moons. Jupiter is currently rising very late at night and stays visible until sunrise, sitting close to Mars and to Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: The moon briefly blocks Jupiter from view.
November 15, 2026: Jupiter and Mars reach closest approach.
November 17-18, 2026: The Leonid meteor shower peaks.
November 29-30, 2026: The moon appears close to Jupiter, with Mars and Regulus below.
Big Picture
The planets lie in front of the radiant point of the Leonid meteor shower, which peaks on November 17-18, 2026. The overlap means skywatchers observing the shower will have Jupiter and Mars in the same field of view.
Observers can see Jupiter low in the sky before dawn through late November without special equipment. Binoculars may reveal Jupiter's moons near the planet during the close approaches.
The takeaway
Late November offers a rare run of planetary and lunar pairings visible before sunrise. Checking the moon's position against Jupiter on the nights listed can help you spot the alignments yourself.
What happens next
On November 29 and 30, 2026, the moon will appear close to Jupiter, and on November 30 it will pass in front of the planet for observers in southern Argentina and Chile.
Further reading
For more on celestial events like this, explore the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Earth and Sky.
