Rare Black Moon Concludes 2024

There will be two New Moons in December 2024, making this year’s last New Moon a Black Moon.

The second New Moon of the month, and thus the Black Moon, will occur on December 30, 2024 at 22:26 UTC.

This means the New Moon will be on December 31 in some time zones. Meanwhile, the western time zones of the US and Canada already had a Black Moon on November 30.

Why Do Black Moons Have Different Dates?

Because a New Moon is defined as the exact moment when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth are aligned, Black Moons can happen in different months depending on the time zone.

This is why western time zones had a Black Moon on November 30, 2024.

Why Do Black Moons Occur?

A lunar month is measured from the precise moment of a New Moon to the next New Moon in the following lunar month, but our calendar is not perfectly aligned with the Moon’s phases.

As a result, some months have an additional New Moon, and some astronomical seasons have a fourth New Moon. These extra New Moons are known as Black Moons.

Opposite of a Blue Moon

A Black Moon is not an official astronomical term but refers to rare New Moon occurrences. There are two main definitions, both counterparts to the Blue Moon:

• A monthly Black Moon is the second New Moon in a single calendar month with two New Moons.
• A seasonal Black Moon is the third New Moon in a season of four New Moons.

This month’s Black Moon, occurring on December 30 or 31, is a monthly Black Moon. The next one, a seasonal Black Moon, will take place on August 23, 2025.

Are Black Moons Rare?

Monthly Black Moons are the most common and happen about once every 29 months, while seasonal Black Moons happen around every 33 months.

A rare occurrence with either no New Moon or no Full Moon in February is sometimes called a Black Moon. These can only happen about once every 19 years.

Where Can I See a Black Moon?

Like any other New Moon, Black Moons are invisible in the sky. This is because the Moon is between Earth and the Sun in its orbit at this Moon phase. Its unilluminated side faces Earth, and only the far side is illuminated.

This is excellent news for stargazers! During this Moon phase, no Moon lights up the night sky, which is perfect for looking at the stars and planets.