occultation

[ ok-uhl-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Astronomy. the passage of one celestial body in front of another, thus hiding the other from view: applied especially to the moon's coming between an observer and a star or planet.
2. disappearance from view or notice.
3. the act of blocking or hiding from view.
4. the resulting hidden or concealed state.

occultation

/ ˌɒkʌlˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the temporary disappearance of one celestial body as it moves out of sight behind another body
2. the act of occulting or the state of being occulted

Other Words From

• preoc·cul·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of occultation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin occultātiōn- (stem of occultātiō ) a hiding, equivalent to occultāt ( us ) (past participle of occultāre to conceal, keep something hidden, frequentative of occulere; occult ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The answer: by watching the asteroid directly pass in front of a star, which is called occultation.

From The Daily Beast

An occultation of a planet is obviously still more interesting than that of a star.

From Project Gutenberg

In any case, no displacement of a star by atmospheric refraction at occultation has been surely recorded.

From Project Gutenberg

Its geographical position is pretty accurately laid down from occultation and other observations.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the first occultation of a star or planet by the Moon observed and recorded in England.

From Project Gutenberg

They had already proceeded together to the Cape of Good Hope on two occasions to study an eclipse and an occultation.

From Project Gutenberg