In 2007, Pete Lawrence was in position to get the shot of a lifetime. Saturn passed just behind the edge of our Moon. Unlike an eclipse (the shadow puppet show of astronomy), when one celestial body passes in front of another, it is called an “occultation”. Over the period of a few hours, this is what he saw through his telescope. See it extra-big here.
This is a real image, only modified to enhance the dimness of Saturn against the Moon. Wow.
(via APOD, tip o’ the rings to Destin from Smarter Every Day for the link)
Source: apod.nasa.gov
