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.
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.
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.
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.
I checked the forecast for the lunar occultation.
Shorter form meaning 'lunar occultation'. Common in astronomical contexts.
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.
When an asteroid passes in front of a star, briefly blocking its light.
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.
今夜の星食は火星です。
Tonight's lunar occultation is of Mars.
An asteroid occultation is predicted for tonight.