There is an exciting news for stargazers, as the Black Moon is set to make its appearance on 30 December and 31st December. The second new moon of the month, ‘Black Moon’ is a rare astronomical event. The term is used to describe a second full moon that appears in a single calendar month. The term is not listed officially, but it’s widely used by the astronomers and Astrophiles.
When & Where To Watch?
The Black Moon will be visible from the Earth. People can witness the second moon on two dates, i.e., 30 and 31st December depending on their geographical locations.
According to the United States Naval Observatory, the black moon will occur on December 30 at 5:27 pm ET (2227 GMT). It will be visible on December 30 in America, while in Europe, Africa, and Asia, it will occur on December 31, 2024.
As per reports, In India, stargazers can have glimpse of black moon around 3:57 am on December 31.
What makes this phenomenon exciting and interesting is the absence of moonlight that creates a perfect canvas for stargazing.
How Does It Occur?
A new moon appears when the sun and moon are in the same position in the sky, and the moon’s illuminated side faces away from Earth, making it invisible. As the lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, some months have two new moons, which creates a black moon.
Notably, the black moon itself won’t be visible, but it will make the night sky darker, allowing stars, planets, and even distant galaxies to be more visible. Stargazers are advised to use binoculars or a telescope to look at the planets.
So, skywatchers, gear up to witness this celestial event before the year 2024 ends. The next black moon will not appear until August 2025, making this event a must-see for everyone.
