Moon Passing Jupiter February 2013 PHOTOS, VIDEO: Watch Stunning Occultation Take Place in Starry Night Sky Feb. 17-18 [NASA]

Earlier this week, Asteroid 2012 DA14 flew over Earth's surface as a meteorite explosion rocked Russia. Sunday and Monday evening (Feb. 17-18) stargazers will be able to witness yet another celestial wonder as the moon is scheduled to pass over the bright planet of Jupiter. Read on for more information, photos, and videos about "the latest celestial encounter of Earth's natural satellite and the largest planet in the solar system."

Every month since November 2012, the moon and Jupiter have engaged in several different occultations among the night sky. But according to NASA's Space.com, the moon will make its closest approach to Jupiter on Monday morning (Feb. 18) at approximately 7 a.m. ET (12 a.m. GMT and 4 a.m. PST).

As Space.com reports:

Tonight, the moon will be just past first quarter phase. At mid-twilight, roughly 45 minutes after sunset, look high in the south, more than two-thirds of the way up from the horizon to the point directly overhead (the zenith) and — weather permitting — you'll see the moon and hovering about 6 degrees above and to its left will be brilliant Jupiter. Your clenched fist held at arm's length measures 10 degrees, so the moon and Jupiter will appear rough half a fist apart.

Unfortunately, both the moon and Jupiter will be below the horizon in North America during the occultation (which simply means that one celestial body will move in front of another). Therefore, stargazers in this area of the world will not actually be able to view and experience the moon passing by Jupiter on Sunday and Monday. Observers will only be able to witness the moon as it approaches Jupiter on Sunday evening (Feb. 17), and then as the moon recedes from Jupiter on Monday night (Feb. 18).

According to Space.com:

On Monday night, the moon will be in a somewhat more noticeable gibbous phase, and will have moved to a point about 6 degrees to the left (east) of Jupiter.

Watch as the moon passes by Jupiter on Christmas Day, December 25, 2012 over L.A.:

Jupiter is still considered the "brightest star" in the solar system and is visible all night long (Jupiter currently sets in the West at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time). NASA reports that by the end of April, Venus will take over the title of "brightest star" as the planet begins to emerge from the glare of the setting sun. On May 28, 2013, Jupiter will have an "eye-catching rendezvous" with Venus low in the west-northwest sky.

Bright stars and constellations cover February night sky: