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"Black Moon", the rare August phenomenon that occurs once every 33 years
2025-08-21 15:43:36 / MISTERE&KURIOZITETE
The "black moon" is a rare phenomenon that occurs during the new moon phase and will appear this weekend.
At that time, the moon is positioned almost between the Earth and the Sun: its illuminated side faces the Sun, while the side facing the Earth remains immersed in darkness. This is why at this stage the moon is not visible at all in the night sky.
During a new moon, the illuminated hemisphere of the moon is facing away from us, while the moon rises and sets almost simultaneously with the Sun, remaining “hidden.” Since the moon is in gravitational synchronization with our planet, from Earth we can always see the same side of it.
The term "black moon" is not officially used in astronomy, but has come into use for two specific cases: when two new moons appear in a calendar month instead of one, or when four new moons are observed in a season instead of three. In the latter case, the third of them is called "black."
This year's "black moon" is the third new moon of the summer, while the fourth will appear on September 21, just one day before the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the phenomenon will be in the sky, it will not be visible, as the illuminated side of the moon will be facing away; thus, it will appear as if it has disappeared.
However, this particular time offers ideal conditions for observing the night sky, especially now that the impressive Perseid meteor shower is at its peak, lasting until August 24th.
The next "black moon" will occur on August 31, 2027, when two new moons will coincide within the same month.
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