Translation guide
The passage of one celestial body in front of another, hiding it from view. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific astronomical terms, most commonly 掩蔽 (occultation in general) or 星食 (when a star or planet is occulted by the moon).
The event where one celestial body passes in front of and hides another.
The standard astronomical term for occultation, covering any such event.
今夜、土星の掩蔽が観測できる。
Tonight, an occultation of Saturn can be observed.
Specifically refers to an occultation of a star or planet by the moon. More common in lunar occultation contexts.
月による星食が今夜見られます。
A lunar occultation of a star can be seen tonight.
Often used in compounds like 日食 (solar eclipse) or 月食 (lunar eclipse), but can broadly refer to any obscuration. Not typically used alone for occultation.
この現象は食の一種です。
This phenomenon is a type of eclipse/occultation.
Specifically when the moon passes in front of a star or planet.
Explicitly states 'occultation by the moon'. Clear and formal.
月による掩蔽の予報をチェックした。
I checked the forecast for the lunar occultation.
Shorter form meaning 'lunar occultation'. Common in astronomical contexts.
月の掩蔽は肉眼でも見える。
The lunar occultation is visible even with the naked eye.
As above, specifically lunar occultation of a star or planet.
When a planet passes in front of a star or another planet.
Explicitly 'occultation by a planet'. Used in precise astronomical descriptions.
金星による掩蔽は非常に珍しい。
An occultation by Venus is extremely rare.
Shorter form meaning 'planetary occultation'.
木星の掩蔽が観測された。
An occultation by Jupiter was observed.
When an asteroid passes in front of a star, briefly blocking its light.
Standard term for asteroid occultation.
小惑星による掩蔽の観測は、その形状を知る手がかりになる。
Observation of an asteroid occultation provides clues to its shape.
Shorter form.
今夜、小惑星の掩蔽が予想されている。
An asteroid occultation is predicted for tonight.
掩蔽 (えんぺい) is the precise term for occultation, while 食 (しょく) is a broader term for eclipses and obscurations. In everyday Japanese, 食 is more common in compounds like 日食 (solar eclipse) and 月食 (lunar eclipse), but for occultations, 掩蔽 or 星食 is preferred in astronomical contexts.
When the moon occults a star or planet, 星食 (せいしょく) is the most natural and common term among astronomers and in media. It literally means 'star eclipse' but is understood as lunar occultation.
Tonight's lunar occultation is of Mars.