(This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
As the next full moon nears, a rare new moon marks the end of 2024 — the black moon.
The black moon is a rare celestial phenomena that happens roughly every 29 months or longer. The last one occurred in August of 2022 and the next won’t come again until May of 2026.
The black moon rose Monday and on Tuesday, it remained in its new moon phase and was 0% illuminated, according to space.com.
Although the black moon itself is invisible, it creates ideal opportunities for stargazing where planets like Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and the galaxies and nebulae will appear to shine brighter among the darker sky.
Here’s everything you need to know about the black moon of 2024 and the next full moon of 2025.
What is a black moon?
A black moon refers to the occurrence of two new moons within a single month.
The lunar cycle of a new moon is approximately 29.5 days, which means, on a rare occasion, it can happen twice in single month. Hence, the black moon is the extra new moon in a cycle.
Astronomers consider the third of four new moons in a season to be a seasonal black moon. And when there’s no new moon in February — about once every 20 years — it results in black moons in January and March.
Stars glow in the sky after sunset at Black Balsam, August 10, 2024.
When to watch the black moon 2024?
The black moon of 2024 rose on Dec. 30 at 5:27 p.m. ET.
How to watch a black moon
Here’s the thing about viewing a black moon: there’s nothing to see.
New moons occur when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, meaning its shadowed side faces us and we get a moonless night.
But, it does create opportunities for stargazing. Without moonlight, faint celestial objects like constellations, and star clusters will appear brighter and easier to see.
Absent any storms, planets like Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn will shine brightly in the night sky on the black moons.
We’ll get a season black moon in August and the next monthly black moon happens in August 2027.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon, will be the wolf moon. It will also be the first full moon of 2025, rising on Jan. 13.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 2024 ends with rare ‘black moon’: What to know