Back Moon December 2024: How to See the Rare New Moon Phenomenon Tonight

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On Monday, observers of the skies will once again have the opportunity to experience a rare "black moon."

Why It Matters

There was already a black moon on December 1, which makes this celestial phenomenon extremely rare. The next black moon will not happen for another two and a half years.

What To Know

The black moon is set to occur at 5:37 p.m. ET on Monday, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.

What Is a Black Moon?

New moons occur every four weeks. A monthly black moon, which is not an astronomical term used by scientists, often refers to the second new moon in a calendar month.

Because a lunar cycle lasts 29.5 days, having two new moons in one month is rare but inevitable if the first new moon falls on the first or second day of the month.

The term can also be used to describe a third new moon in a season, which is less frequent.

Can You See a Black Moon?

A black moon is not visible since the illuminated side of the moon is facing away from Earth during this phase. New moons, the "invisible phase" of the moon, are visible only during solar eclipses.

But a black moon does create an ideal stargazing environment that makes it easier for people to observe stars, planets and deep-sky objects, like galaxies and nebulae, that can be harder to see when the moon is out.

Where Will the December 2024 Black Moon Occur?

Monday's black moon will occur in the Central and Eastern time zones of the U.S. and Canada.

Black Moon: Spiritual Meaning

The black moon can have a different effect for each zodiac sign, according to celebrity astrologer Kyle Thomas, who told People magazine that Monday's event will bring "fresh opportunities and new beginnings."

It will be the most important new moon for Capricorns since it falls during their sign.

"Use the week that follows this lunation to take action to build the life of your dreams and put yourself out there. Step into your power, trust your inner motivations and seize the day," Thomas said in a message for Capricorns. "You'll find more luck on your side!"

He also suggested that the black moon could open up professional paths for Aries, turn Sagittarius into a money magnet and boost productivity for Leo.

Thomas encouraged Taurus to take chances, Gemini to open up to others, Virgos to have more fun and Aquarius to practice self-love and reflection. Cancers and Libras can both expect deeper feelings of connection to others, while Scorpio will be energized by traveling during this time, the astrologer said.

How Common Is a Black Moon?

A monthly black moon occurs roughly every 29 months.

What People Are Saying

Darren Baskill, a physics and astronomy lecturer at the U.K.'s University of Sussex, told Newsweek last month: "Whether you have two new moons this month depends on your time zone. For the U.K., the next new moon occurs at 6:21 a.m. GMT on the first of December, and for those in the United States that follow Eastern or Central standard time, the new moon occurs after midnight, also in December. So neither Europeans, the U.K., nor much of the U.S. will have a second new moon in November."

Max Gilbraith, planetarium coordinator for the University of Wyoming's Physics and Astronomy Department, told Cowboy State Daily: "The Farmer's Almanac can throw around any words they want about celestial phenomena, but a black moon is just an artifact of timekeeping."

Liz Simmons, an astrologer, wrote in StyleCaster: "Black moons are arguably more hopeful than a regular old new moon, because black moons invoke a second chance for profound renewal and rebirth. Make the most of this black moon by wishing for all the things you forgot to manifest during the first new moon of the month.