Overview

• The event is defined as the third of four new moons in the current astronomical season, following June 25 and July 23 and preceding September 21.
• As with any new moon, the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, leaving its Earth-facing side unlit and effectively impossible to see with the naked eye.
• Experts note the term is not an official astronomical designation and is used inconsistently, with some advising against its use altogether.
• Multiple definitions circulate, including an alternative that labels a month's second new moon the same way, which contributes to public confusion.
• A separate, observable highlight follows on September 7 with a total lunar eclipse at the full moon, expected to begin around 19:30.