Stargazers in seventh heaven over Moon's 'occultation' of Venus

SKYWATCHERS WILL experience a rare event this afternoon with an occultation of the planet Venus by the Moon in broad daylight.

Occultations happen when any celestial object passes in front of another. The Moon will pass in front of Venus at around 3.30pm and Venus will emerge from the Moon's shadow at around 5.07pm.

Venus, known as the morning star because it appears at dawn as well as at dusk, is so bright at the moment that it can be seen in daylight in the south of the sky.

"People will be flabbergasted to see a planet in broad daylight," said Astronomy Ireland chairman David Moore.

"You will see this bright star-like object dim as the moon passes in front of it. By the time the sun sets Venus will emerge from the moon in darkness." Later in the evening Venus, Jupiter and the Moon will be seen in the same field of vision at around 7pm.