A rare astronomical event known as ‘Black Moon’ takes place in December 2024. This phenomenon occurs when there are two new moons within a single calendar month. While not officially recognised as a formal astronomical event, Black Moon has gained significant popularity among amateur astronomers and stargazers.
According to the US Naval Observatory, this rare occurrence will take place at 5.27 pm ET (2227 hours GMT) on December 30. In some regions that are ahead of ET, Black Moon will occur on the next day, December 31. In India, this phenomenon will occur at around 3.57 am on December 31.
Areas of the United States and Canada had a Black Moon earlier on November 30, 2024, and will not experience another one in December.
Not as uncommon as it may sound, Black Moon occurs roughly every 29 months. A seasonal Black Moon, or four Black Moons in a season, is visible about every 33 months. The rarest form, when there is neither a new moon nor a full moon in February, occurs only once every 19 years.
The Moon’s phases do not align perfectly with the calendar. A lunar month lasts about 29.5 days, while most calendar months are slightly longer. As a result of this mismatch, there are occasional months with two new moons or seasons that experience an additional new moon.
This phenomenon cannot be seen from anywhere on Earth because, during the new moon phase, the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. Its backside faces the Earth and is not illuminated by the Sun, making it invisible to the naked eye.
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While a Black Moon is obviously not visible, the darkness it offers provides an excellent opportunity for stargazers to observe celestial bodies like galaxies, nebulae, and planets. In addition to December 31, 2024, Black Moon will occur on August 23, 2025, which will mark the third new moon of a four-new moon season. Another Black Moon will occur on August 31, 2027, as the second new moon in a single calendar month.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
