By definition, an occultation is the passage of one astronomical body directly in front of another so that as seen from an observer on Earth, the further body is hidden from view. The word "occult" means "to hide".

In the Occultation Section of The SPA, observers for the most part, observe and record the passage of the moon as it occults the brighter stars and planets. Accurate timings of these events are made which can then be sent to the various Occultation Timing Agencies. There is also scope within the section to observe and record the occultations of stars by other bodies such as the planets, their satellites and asteroids, although these are much rarer events. Details of occultations that are due to take place in the near future are listed in the Sky Diary in Popular Astronomy and further details about these events and how to observe and record them are available from this observing section.