Rare Black Moon Will Darken Night Skies: Here’s When

Don’t bother glancing up because a cosmic rare is about to sweep the heavens.

The night sky

What you won’t see is the main focus of this cosmic spectacle.

On Saturday, August 23, a rare lunar phenomenon called a Black Moon is scheduled to take place.

Although it cannot be seen, it will provide skywatchers in the US and abroad with a unique opportunity to experience astronomical excitement.

The Black Moon is just a unique type of new moon, despite the name suggesting a shadowy, enigmatic passage across the sky.

The Moon is invisible to the unaided eye during this phase because its dark side is facing Earth.

In an astronomical season with four new moons, this specific Black Moon—also referred to as a seasonal Black Moon—occurs as the third new moon.It is a phenomenon that only occurs once every 33 months, according to Space.com.

Just after midnight on Saturday, August 23, the Black Moon will be visible across most of the world, including the central and eastern United States.

The event could happen as early as Friday, August 22, though, for people who live in time zones that are behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

The lack of moonlight will make the night skies unusually dark for those who enjoy stargazing. This offers an excellent chance to see far-off galaxies and other celestial beauties like the Milky Way.

It will be August 20, 2028, before the next Black Moon occurs.