Science
A rare December Black Moon closes out 2024: The next one won’t appear for years
Between December 30 and 31, skywatchers will witness a rare celestial event—the Black Moon—marking the final astronomical phenomenon of 2024 and ushering in the New Year, 2025.
As 2024 comes to a close, the year’s astronomical calendar has been packed with breathtaking events. From full moons to meteor showers, planetary alignments, and even eclipses, the heavens have put on quite a show.
Capping it all off is December’s Black Moon, a phenomenon that’s not only rare but even less common in the month of December. A Black Moon occurs during the new moon phase, when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. In this alignment, the Moon’s illuminated side faces away from Earth, rendering it invisible against the night sky’s darkness.
When to see the Black Moon
This year’s Black Moon occurs on December 30, 2024, and is defined as the second new moon within a single calendar month. The first new moon of December happened on December 1. Don’t confuse this with a Blue Moon, which involves two full moons in a single month.
The Black Moon will officially begin at 5:27 p.m. EST for U.S. viewers. It will remain in its new moon phase until January 7, 2025, when it transitions into the waxing crescent phase.
According to National Geographic, Black Moons are relatively rare, occurring approximately once every 30 months. The last Black Moon took place on May 19, 2023, and the next one isn’t expected until May 2027.
What comes next in the skies? Mark your calendar
For those eager for the next lunar event, the first full moon of 2025 will light up the skies on January 13, followed by a second full moon on February 12. These events promise more opportunities for stargazers to marvel at the beauty of the cosmos.
Don’t miss the final show in the heavens of 2024
The Black Moon offers a unique way to close out the year and reflect on the wonders of the night sky. While it won’t be visible to the naked eye, its presence serves as a reminder of the intricate dance of celestial bodies that shape our view of the universe.
Prepare to say goodbye to 2024 under one of the rarest lunar phenomena, and look forward to the astronomical spectacles that 2025 has in store.
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