Today’s New Moon is also called a Black Moon, as it is the third in a string of four New Moons in a single astronomical season.
This week’s New Moon is also called a Black Moon. Credit: NASA’s Science Visualization Studio
- A New Moon phase occurred at 2:07 A.M. EDT.
- This New Moon was colloquially termed a “seasonal Black Moon,” defined as the third of four New Moons within a single astronomical season.
- Black Moons, while occurring approximately every 2.8 years, are not directly observable due to the Moon’s position between the Earth and Sun, resulting in complete shadowing of the nearside.
- Provided sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset times are 6:19 A.M., 7:45 P.M., 6:36 A.M., and 8:06 P.M. respectively, based on a location of 40° N 90° W.
New Moon occurs at 2:07 A.M. EDT. This particular New Moon has been garnering headlines as a Black Moon — specifically, a seasonal Black Moon. This is a non-scientific name that can be attributed to the third of four New Moons to occur in an astronomical season — e.g., between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox.Â
Black Moons occur about once every 2.8 years, or roughly as often as Blue Moons. However, Black Moons cannot be seen, because the Moon is invisible to us at New Moon. This phase occurs when the Moon stands between Earth and the Sun, so the nearside is completely in shadow. So despite all the hype, there will be nothing Moon-related to see in the sky today!
Sunrise:Â 6:19 A.M.
Sunset:Â 7:45 P.M.
Moonrise:Â 6:36 A.M.
Moonset:Â 8:06 P.M.
Moon Phase:Â New
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.
For a look ahead at more upcoming sky events, check out our full Sky This Week column.Â
