Just a few weeks after twin meteor showers dazzled skywatchers, another unusual astronomical phenomenon is set to occur — a Black Moon.
On the night of August 23, 2025, the moon will pass through its new moon phase, rendering it invisible to the naked eye. While it may not be as eye-catching as a supermoon or lunar eclipse, this rare event is exciting for astronomers and stargazers alike.
What Is a Black Moon?
According to Space.com, the term “Black Moon” is not an official astronomical designation, but rather a name used to describe the timing of new moon phases. Typically, each season has three new moons, but when a fourth one occurs, the third is labeled a Black Moon.
Weather Network meteorologist Scott Sutherland explains: “A Black Moon happens due to the gap between the lunar cycle and the average length of the calendar month.” Because the lunar cycle is roughly 29.5 days, it doesn’t line up perfectly with our calendar. This misalignment occasionally produces an “extra” new moon in a season.
