This weekend will witness a rare occurrence – the black moon, which is not an official term but refers to the second new moon in a month. The phenomenon happens once every 29 months, marking the beginning of the lunar cycle.
A new moon occurs when only its far side is illuminated by the sun, making it invisible from Earth. According to NASA’s Planetary Laboratory chief Noah Petro, “a black moon (or new moon) is when the moon is basically in between the Earth and the sun.” This differs from a solar eclipse, where the moon passes directly in front of the sun.
In this case, stargazers will have the opportunity to observe several celestial bodies due to clear skies. It’s an ideal time for astronomers, as they can go outside without light contamination from the moon, allowing them to spot planets like Venus and Mars.
Some notable objects to look out for include the dumbbell nebula in the Vulpecula constellation, visible during the first half of the night. If you have binoculars or a telescope, now’s your chance to witness this 1,200-light-year-old star’s remnants.
In addition to the black moon, the month is also notable for having no new moons due to its 29.5-day lunar cycle, which typically has 28 days in February on non-leap years. Two eclipse events will take place in 2025 – a total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse – with their respective viewing locations announced.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/22/science/black-moon-august-new-moon