Have you ever seen a black moon? We did not leave, but one will come this week

Late last year, we were Deal with four consecutive monumentsWhere the moon is the largest and bright that can be in the sky of the night. Have you ever wondered what is called when the opposite happens? There is a name for that, and it happens this weekend – the appearance of the black moon.

The term Black Moon is not an official term, but rather a nickname when a new moon meets certain circumstances. Usually, each season has three new moons just as it contains three whole satellites. However, when the stars correspond – intended from the pun – there is an additional cycle that has been pressed. When this happens to whole moons, it is referred to as “seasonal blue moon”, and this happens to a new moon, and it is called the black moon.

The weekend on August 22 is such a occurrence. The first new moon of summer came relatively early, on June 25, followed by the next moon on July 24. The last new moon comes on September 21, which is Before the summer, it ends officially. Due to the presence of an additional new moon, the new third moon is referred to in the four group called The Black Moon, which means that the August satellite gets discrimination.

Two types of black satellites

According to Dr. Shannon Shaml, Director of Abrams Prams at Michigan State University, the black moon is basically the same blue moon, but for new moons instead of whole satellites. Thus, the same rules apply to both.

“The black moon tends to have two common definitions.” “Whenever the less complex moon is the second moon in one month. Because the moon cycle is a little shorter than most months, every time, there will be the full moon in the beginning and the end of the month.”

Since the solar cycle is 29.5 days, Schmalll notes, this can happen, and he does this once every 29 months.

The next occurrence of this type of black moon is decided August 2027When new satellites appear on August 2 and August 31. The last time this happened was in the spring of 2023.

“The other definition is the third moon in a season with four.” “Therefore, there is a time between moderation and coup. Because this is three months, we usually get three moons at that time. Every time, we get four, and the third is” additional “.

This happens once every 33 months and is rare of two types of black satellites, which makes the new August satellite very special. The next time this type of black moon is scheduled to happen Summer 2028When the new June and September satellites are held during the summer again, as they did this year.

To refer to them, blue satellites are somewhat rare. The next blue moon is coming In May 2026 On 1 and 31 of the month.

In the big scheme, though, Shamwh says that these cases are elaborate on our calendar system and “there is nothing important astronomical” regardless of being a small, fun coincidence.

You can’t see it, and that’s good

We see the moon because it reflects the light from the sun. During a new moon, our closest heavenly neighbor is hidden behind the earth, so sunlight cannot reach. This means that you will not be able to see this rare heavenly phenomenon even if you try, so once, we recommend not to take care of searching for it.

In all, the only way to see the new moon is if there is a solar eclipse when it slides in front of the sun.

However, there are other ways to enjoy a new moon: the moon is often referred to as one of the most common sources and light pollution, making it difficult to find things in the sky of the night. the The shower of the Persids Nizak Persids was its peak During the full moon in August, which made a meteor more difficult to see, even if you leave the city and the suburbs to get a darker sky.

With Black Moon for this year, Stargazers will get one additional night this summer of the quiet, non -moon darkness in the sky of the night. This will give enthusiasts another great opportunity to discover six planets in the sky for The last six plans we see For a few years, and for photographers in the northern hemisphere to get some Wonderful footage of the Milky Way jar. Since Perseids ends on August 23, there is also an opportunity for you that you may see one of the final filming stars of the meteor shower.

So, if you are waiting for the darkest possible night to see some of the stars, this weekend is a great opportunity thanks to this black moon.