An asteroid is slated to pass in front of the star Betelgeuse and obscure it Monday night in an event known to astronomers as an occultation. Experts estimate the rare event will only occur for as ...

Occultations happen fairly often, but typically they affect dim stars and only astronomers notice. But Betelgeuse, at magnitude 0.7, is the 11th-brightest star in the sky, and a well-known one at ...

Known as an occultation, the passage will mean that an observer in the right place will see about 94 percent of Betelgeuse’s light blocked, briefly reducing it to the status of a very ordinary star.

The occultation will be visible in a narrow strip of locations across the world, including Miami and the Florida Keys as well as parts of Mexico, according to a map on the website OccultWatcher.

Now for how to see this celestial event. EarthSky shared a map of what parts of Earth will be able to see Leona’s occultation, or hiding from view, of Betelgeuse.

Betelgeuse, one of the most recognizable stars in the night sky, will disappear for several seconds in a rare asteroid occultation on the evening of Dec. 12.

Betelgeuse, the most famous red supergiant star and one of the sky's brightest, will disappear for up to 12 seconds during an ultra-rare occultation by asteroid 319 Leona.

But Leona’s occultation may give scientists a truly unique view of the star. To understand how special the event is, consider the total solar eclipse that will occur in April 2024.

Betelgeuse is about 600 to 700 light years from Earth, which means it takes light from the star that long to reach us. MORE ON WEATHER.COM - Photo Captures Boy's Joy Of Seeing Starship Launch ...

The astronomical event, known as an occultation, is expected to occur for no longer than 15 seconds but could offer scientists new insights into the star and the asteroid that will obscure it.

The astronomical event, known as an occultation, is expected to occur for no longer than 15 seconds but could offer scientists new insights into the star and the asteroid that will obscure it.

The astronomical event, known as an occultation, is expected to occur for no longer than 15 seconds but could offer scientists new insights into the star and the asteroid that will obscure it.