The rare event will help scientists prepare for a next-generation mission to study Jupiter's most interesting satellites.
. For example, a total solar eclipse is a kind of occultation of the sun by the moon, albeit an occultation which is very obvious for those in the right place to see it.
Such occultations can only be seen from a narrow path across a portion of the Earth's surface, making them a rare skywatching treat. But for astronomers, occultations can be even more special because these events provide rare chances to refine the orbit and shape of a remote world. And scientists now say that just such an occultation will occur on June 19 , as Europa is once again poised to occult a star as predicted using Gaia data. This event will be even more remarkable than the last — particularly to astronomers at the Paris Observatory, who are helping scientists at ESA prepare a mission to study Europa and neighboring moons.
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