What is a ‘Black Moon’? Here’s what to know about the celestial event for stargazers

A rare celestial event is happening Tuesday night, and it won’t happen again for more than two and a half years.

An unusual “Black Moon” will be in the sky Tuesday, but you might not be able to see it. Experts, however, say that’s what makes it special.

Stargazers love the Black Moon, Forbes reported. The dark skies give them a chance to see the stars without the moon’s light washing it out, according to the news outlet.

It happens every 32 months, according to Space.com. It will occur at 10:41 p.m. Tuesday on the east coast and won’t happen again until May 19, 2023, Space.com reported.

The term “Black Moon” isn’t astronomical, The Old Farmer’s Almanac reported. Many astronomers don’t know the term, and it can have several different definitions, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

In this case, the Black Moon is the third new moon in a season with four, Forbes reported. It’s invisible, like all other new moons, according to the news outlet.

“Although there’s not much to see when a Black Moon rises, the good news is that a moonless sky is excellent for stargazing (since the Moon’s light won’t drown out the stars),” the Farmer’s Almanac reported.

This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 3:07 PM with the headline "What is a ‘Black Moon’? Here’s what to know about the celestial event for stargazers."