Why the ‘Black Moon’ isn’t a spectacle – but a great excuse to get outside regardless

In this Jan. 9, 2008, file photo, one day past New, an early Waxing Crescent Moon is seen just after sunset from Tyler, Texas. (AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. Lieberman, File)

Seasoned astrologers might be familiar with the upcoming “Black Moon,” or “Black Moon Lilith,” a moon phase phenomenon often attributed to a period of transformation, improvement and alignment.

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While the astrological definition revolves around a concept rather than real moon, the “Black Moon” does indeed exist – although for the zodiac-lover’s record, the metaphysical version is in Virgo this month.

But Frank Florian, senior manager of planetarium and space sciences at Edmonton’s Telus World of Science, said the real “Black Moon” hype “is not really anything to talk about.” In fact, he said, this one won’t even be visible from Earth.

The “Black Moon” is an incarnation of a new moon that occurs at specific times in a season or calendar month.

A new moon refers to the start of a new lunar cycle. The lunar calendar almost lines up with Earth’s calendar year, so there is normally one full moon and one new moon each month.

New moons by definition are invisible unless during a total solar eclipse, as the new moon positions itself between the sun and the Earth and won’t reflect light.

When we get two new moons in a calendar month, Florian said, the second of those moons is referred to as a “Black Moon.”

If there are four new moons in a season, such as from the summer solstice to the fall equinox, the third new moon is also referred to as a “Black Moon.”

“I am not really sure why certain Facebook posts and other media are hyping this up,” he said in an email to CTV News Edmonton. “It really is a non-event with no real merit.”

This season’s new moons, Florian explained, fell or will fall on June 25, July 24, August 23 and September 21.

“This is like when we get four full moons in a season, the third one is called a ‘Blue Moon,’ or when we get two full moons in a calendar month, the second is also called a ‘Blue Moon.’ Go figure,” he said. “No real astronomical significance in these events.”

Still, he said, August’s “Black Moon” is a fantastic chance to watch the sky since it will be void of the moon’s light. It marks a great time to go star-gazing.

This “Black Moon” is scheduled to appear, or rather, not appear, on Friday night or early Saturday morning.

“It does provide a nice dark sky to view our summer Milky Way away from the bright lights of the city,” he said.