Invisible Black Moon Phenomenon to Occur This Weekend: A Guide for Stargazers

The celestial body known as the moon holds various monikers, one of which is the sturgeon moon, observed during August. In contrast, March often brings about the spectacle of the blood moon, appearing red during a lunar eclipse. A lesser-known phenomenon is the black moon, set to occur this weekend, characterized by its rarity and invisibility.

This captivating event will transpire late Friday night and extend into the early hours of Saturday, with the moon reaching its closest point to the sun at 2:06 a.m. ET on Saturday, as per EarthSky’s predictions. Much like the blue moon, a black moon is not an official designation but signifies the second new moon in a single month – an occurrence happening once every approximately 29 months.

A new moon materializes when only its farthest side is illuminated by the sun, making it invisible from Earth and marking the beginning of the lunar cycle. In the words of Noah Petro, chief of NASA’s Planetary, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Laboratory at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland: “A black moon (or new moon) is when the moon aligns between Earth and the sun, not to cause an eclipse but where we cannot observe the moon.”

Distinct from a solar eclipse, during which the moon obstructs the sun’s light and casts a shadow on Earth, a new moon (and black moon) passes near the sun. The term ‘black moon’ can also refer to a month devoid of any new moons, typically occurring in February due to the lunar cycle’s pattern of 29.5 days.

Unfortunately, given its invisibility during this particular event, moon watchers will not be able to witness the black moon directly. However, stargazers are in for a treat as the celestial bodies will be prominently visible.

“A new moon or black moon offers an advantageous opportunity for astronomers when skies are clear,” Petro remarks, “as one can venture outside and experience minimal light pollution from the moon.” This period is considered ideal to spot planets like Venus, Mars, and Saturn after sunset or just before sunrise.

For those with binoculars or telescopes, the dumbbell nebula – a vibrant, glowing remnant of an aged star located approximately 1,200 light-years away in the Vulpecula constellation – may be visible during the first half of the night.

Four more full moons are set to grace the skies this year, with supermoons – full moons that occur when the moon is at its closest approach to Earth – expected in October, November, and December.

The following is a list of remaining full moons in 2025, as per the Farmers’ Almanac:

Two celestial events will unfold as summer winds down. A total lunar eclipse will be visible across Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, parts of eastern South America, Alaska, and Antarctica on September 7 and 8, according to Time and Date. A lunar eclipse takes place when the moon passes directly into Earth’s shadow as the sun, Earth, and the moon align. This causes the moon to appear darker or dimmed.

When the moon resides in the deepest part of Earth’s shadow, the sun’s rays filter through, refracting light and imbuing the moon with a reddish hue – often referred to as a blood moon by some.

Two weeks after this total lunar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse will be observable in parts of Australia, the Atlantic, the Pacific, and Antarctica on September 21. Solar eclipses transpire when the moon moves between the sun and Earth. During a partial solar eclipse, the moon will not completely obstruct the sun, resulting in a crescent shape – as if the moon has taken a bite out of the sun.