Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria to witness Moon occult Saturn on 21 August

Photo: The Astronomical Observatory at the University of Sofia

Occasionally, the Moon occults a planet in the Solar System, and if that planet is one of the five brightest, the phenomenon can be observed with the naked eye or binoculars. On the morning of 21 August 2024, Bulgaria will witness the Moon occulting Saturn, an astronomical event in which the Moon passes directly in front of Saturn, temporarily obscuring it from view.

This was announced by Pencho Markishki, a physicist from the Institute of Astronomy of the National Academy of Sciences and the Department of Astronomy of the Physics Faculty of Sofia University. For the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Sofia (in Sofia), the phenomenon will begin at around 06:42:12 on 21 August, and the moon will set at 08:26. 

For the Nicolaus Copernicus Observatory - Varna, the occultation will begin at around 06:44:42 and the moon will set at 08:06, the specialist said.

He advised amateur photographers to use an orange or red light filter to reduce the blue glow of the sky when trying to capture the phenomenon.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria at risk of non compliance with the EU's fiscal framework in 2026

Six countries, including Bulgaria, are at risk of non compliance with the EU fiscal framework in 2026. This is highlighted in the 2026 European Semester Autumn Package, adopted by the European Commission. Another 12 countries are urged to continue..

published on 11/26/25 10:06 AM

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov supports the peace plan for Ukraine

“Borders cannot be changed by force, and Ukraine’s long-term security must be guaranteed”, Bulgaria’s Premier Rossen Zhelyazkov said during a videoconference meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing”, led by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK..

published on 11/26/25 8:57 AM

Bulgaria and China discuss cooperation in the automotive sector

Business forum on the topic "Bulgaria - China: cooperation in the automotive sector" is being held on November 26 in Sofia. Its organizers are the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Embassy of the People's Republic of..

published on 11/26/25 7:30 AM