Understanding the December 30 Black Moon and Future Lunar Events
What is a Black Moon?
A “black moon” refers to specific occurrences of new moons, particularly the second new moon occurring within a single calendar month. This unique lunar event will take place on Monday, December 30. Unfortunately for stargazers, new moons are generally not visible from Earth, rendering the black moon invisible as well.
Frequency of Occurrences
New moons happen multiple times throughout the year, but the occurrence of two new moons within a single month is quite rare—it happens roughly every 29 months, as noted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Following the December event, the moon will start to become more visible, reaching its first-quarter phase by January 6, followed by a full moon on January 13, according to NASA.
Types of Black Moons
The term “black moon” can be interpreted in various ways:
- Second New Moon in a Month: The most common definition, occurring approximately every 29 months.
- Third New Moon of a Season: In seasons with four new moons, the third is also referred to as a black moon. This rare event happens about every 33 months, with the next anticipated on August 23, 2025.
- No New Moons in February: Since February is shorter than other months, it’s possible to have a month without any new moons, an event expected to occur next in 2033, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
- General Reference: Some people use “black moon” to denote every new moon, given that the lunar surface is not illuminated from Earth’s perspective during this phase.
Full Moons and Blue Moons
Similar to the concept of black moons, full moons can also experience variations. A blue moon refers to the occurrence of a second full moon within one month, and like black moons, blue moons can also be designated based on seasonal patterns, representing the third full moon in a season containing four. However, there will be no monthly or seasonal blue moons in 2025. The next monthly blue moon is scheduled for May 31, 2026, while the following seasonal blue moon will occur on May 20, 2027, though these dates may vary depending on time zones, as reported by TimeAndDate.com.
