GOES-19 Captures Rare Lunar Transit Across Sun
A rare phenomenon was recorded by the GOES-19 weather system’s coronagraph CCOR-1 satellite on September 21, 2025. The Moon passed in front of the Sun, creating a natural eclipse within the satellite’s view. However, the Moon’s path appeared distorted and curved, baffling scientists.
The Cause Revealed
According to NOAA, the unusual path was not due to any lunar anomaly but rather the satellite’s planned attitude change. GOES-19 had scheduled a yaw-flip attitude change around September 22. This maneuver affected the satellite’s orientation. It caused the bend in the Moon’s apparent path.
Breakthrough in Solar Observation
This event marks a significant breakthrough in observing the Sun. GOES-19’s unique orbit allowed it to capture this rare eclipse, which coronagraphs in the L1 Lagrange point couldn’t observe. The event provides an opportunity to test and improve the imaging and processing systems of the coronagraph. This enhances future solar observations. It also improves our understanding of the Sun’s behavior.