The incredibly rare Black Moon arrives tonight as the second of two New Moon phases in July. A New Moon marks the start of the lunar cycle when the lunar orb’s Earth-facing side is shrouded in complete darkness. When this happens, the Moon appears to vanish for a night before a thin lunar crescent reappears over the following few days. The last New Moon appeared on the night of July 2 and, depending on where you live, will reappear tonight on July 31 or August 1.
What is a Black Supermoon or Black Moon?
Black Moon is not an astronomical term but it popularly describes the second of two New Moons in a calendar month.
Another popular definition for a Black Moon is the third of four New Moon in a season.
A Black Moon will sometimes also refer to no New Moon in the month of February, which can happen roughly once every 19 years.
The same name can be applied to no Full Moon in February every 19 years.
The Supermoon part of tonight’s event refers to the Moon’s proximity to our planet.
The Moon’s orbit is elliptical and not completely round, meaning at times it is farther away and at times it is closer to us.
When the moon reaches its point of perigee, it is slightly farther away and if this falls on a New Moon or Full Moon, it is known as a Micromoon.
A Supermoon occurs during a New Moon or Full Moon at apogee – the Moon’s closest orbit of the Earth.
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Can you watch the Black Supermoon live online tonight?
Unfortunately for hopeful stargazers, a New Moon is not visible in the night skies because the side that faces Earth is not lit by the Sun.
This lack of illumination is the result of the Moon’s position in space in relation to the Sun and Earth.
Astronomer Deborah Byrd of EarthSky.org said: “When the Moon is new, it’s most nearly between the Earth and Sun for any particular month.
“There’s a New Moon about once a month, because the Moon takes about a month to orbit Earth.”
READ MORE: How to photograph the supermoon? Tips and tricks to capture the Full Moon
Will there be a Black Supermoon over the UK tonight?
Depending on where you live, the New Moon will either peak tonight or on Thursday, August 1.
Unfortunately, here in the UK, the Black Moon will peak in the wee morning hours of August 1.
When viewed from London, the New Moon phase will peak around 4.11am BST, meaning the Moon does not fit the definition of a Black Moon.
In the US, however, the New Moon will peak today making it the spectacular Black Moon.
