The temporary blocking from view of one celestial body by another. The occulting body is the one closer to the observer, and can be a planet, moon, ring system, or other body, usually in the solar system. The occulted body is smaller in apparent, projected size and is usually a distant star, although it can also be a spacecraft radio signal, as in the case of the Voyager spacecraft radio occultations at the outer planets, or another solar system body. Examples of occultations are that of a star by a planet, a lunar occultation of a star, and an occultation by Pluto of its satellite charon. Although a solar eclipse is not usually thought of in these terms, this event is actually an occultation of the Sun by the Moon.