Unlocking the Mysteries: December 2024’s Enigmatic Black Moon Explained

Despite not being visible, a Black Moon illuminated Michigan’s sky on Monday night.

This extraordinary and imperceptible lunar phase, a variant of a new moon, arrived perfectly to conclude 2024.

Here’s what you should know.

What is a Black Moon?

A Black Moon is an uncommon variant of a new moon, as reported by Space.com.

More: When is the next full moon? Here’s when you can observe January’s Wolf Moon in Michigan

When is the Black Moon in December 2024?

The Black Moon in December 2024 took place on Monday, Dec. 30 at 5:27 p.m. The moon will continue in its new moon phase on New Year’s Eve.

What leads to the occurrence of a Black Moon?

A Black Moon can transpire under a variety of conditions. Below are the astronomical occurrences that result in a Black Moon:

• Two new moons happen within one month, with the second being a monthly Black Moon.
• In a season comprising four new moons, the third new moon is classified as a seasonal Black Moon.
• When February has no new moons, January and March each have two new moons, where the latter of each is a Black Moon.

How frequently does a Black Moon happen?

The occurrence of this rare new moon is contingent upon the type of Black Moon that appears, as detailed by Space.com.

The monthly Black Moon, which occurs as the second of two new moons within a month, is seen every 29 months. The seasonal Black Moon, which appears as the third of four new moons, occurs once every 33 months. The Black Moon that takes place when February lacks a new moon occurs once every 19 years.

What is the source of the term Black Moon?

The term Black Moon is derived from the invisibility of this new moon, as per the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

More: Welcome in 2025 with the first meteor shower of the year, peaking over Michigan Jan. 2-3

When is the upcoming Black Moon?

The next Black Moon, a seasonal Black Moon, is projected to take place on Aug. 23, 2025.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.