It’s important to note that the term “Black Moon” is not an official astronomical term, according to the Weather Network’s Scott Sutherland.
It can refer to two different, but related, events: either the third of four new moons within the same astronomical season or the second of two new moons within the same calendar month.
Astronomical seasons are based on the solstices and equinoxes, whereas meteorological seasons depend on the yearly temperature cycle.
With that in mind, on August 23, 2025, something special will happen in the night sky — a rare Seasonal Black Moon, the only one this year.
You won’t actually see it (it’s a New Moon, after all), but you’ll definitely notice its effects.
With the Moon completely absent from view, the heavens will be darker than usual — perfect conditions for deep-space viewing.
So, what exactly is a black moon?
Most years, we get 12 new moons.
But occasionally, the timing works out so that we get 13.
When four of those new moons land in a single astronomical season (the time between a solstice and an equinox), the fourth one earns the title Black Moon.
The name dates back centuries, originally used in astrology to describe a “hidden” moon, before being adopted for this rare bit of lunar scheduling.
Think of it as the opposite of a Blue Moon.
A Blue Moon is all about an extra Full Moon; a Black Moon is about an extra New Moon — when the Moon slips between Earth and the Sun, and its bright face is completely turned away from us.
No glow. No crescent. Nothing but darkness.
And that darkness? It’s a gift.
Without the Moon’s glare, the faint details of the cosmos shine through — the Milky Way’s dusty lanes, star clusters, and even far-off nebulae will stand out in unusual clarity.
This year’s Black Moon comes right after the Perseid meteor shower, so while the timing isn’t exact, stargazers will still have a great excuse to grab a blanket, head somewhere far from city lights, and look up.
What’s Next in the Lunar Calendar
August 31, 2027 – A “monthly” Black Moon (two new moons in the same month).
August 20, 2028 – The next seasonal Black Moon, and this one will be paired with a Supermoon.
May 31, 2026 – A monthly Blue Moon (two full moons in one month).
May 20, 2027 – A seasonal Blue Moon (third full moon in a season with four).
You can find these, and more lunar phenomena in LunarPhase Pro, with times and dates for where you live.
Whether it’s the inky mystery of a Black Moon or the extra brilliance of a Blue one, these moments remind us that the Moon’s rhythms have been playing their quiet game for billions of years — and every now and then, we get to watch something rare unfold.
