Overview

• The seasonal black moon occurs at about 2:06 a.m. EDT on Aug. 23, with local timing varying by time zone, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.
• This instance is the third new moon in a season that contains four, a calendar quirk that recurs roughly every 33 months.
• As a new moon, it will be invisible from Earth because the illuminated side faces the Sun, but the absence of moonlight will enhance views of the Milky Way and faint deep‑sky targets.
• Astronomers note that “black moon” is an informal term and dismiss apocalyptic or astrological claims, emphasizing it is a routine lunar phase.
• The next monthly black moon is expected on Aug. 31, 2027, and the next seasonal black moon on Aug. 20, 2028.