A ‘BLACK’ supermoon will rise tomorrow: Rare second new moon of the month will appear huge in the sky as it reaches closest point to Earth in its orbit
- A ‘Black Moon’ will rise in skies across North America tomorrow night
- Black Moons are defined as the second of two New Moons in one month
- They can also describe when there is no new moon in a month
- Black Moons are rare, with some types occurring only once every 10 years
- Similar to a New Moon, a Black Moon cannot be seen in the night sky
A rare phenomenon known as a ‘black moon’ will hover across skies in North America tomorrow.
The Black Moon, similar to a new moon, last occurred over North America in 2016 and is defined by being the second new moon in one month — an occurrence that usually only takes place during leap years.
Depending on which coast you’re on, the Black Moon will occur on either July 31 (for those on the east coast) or on August 1, meaning it is either the second of two new moons or the first of two.
A ‘Black Moon’ will pass over night skies tomorrow night in North America, but don’t pull our your telescopes yet
In addition to being the second of two new moons, according to EarthSky, Black moons can also describe when there is no full moon at all during a month — an even rarer occurrence that takes place about once every 10 years.
A final description also defines a Black Moon as the third new moon in a season of four New Moons.
While there’s no real difference between a black moon and a regular new moon other than the fact it is occurring for the second time in a single month, the confluence of other lunar factors will make tomorrow’s phase notable in other ways.
EarthSky notes that tomorrow’s new moon is also a supermoon, meaning it will be happening in conjunction with a lunar perigee — the closet point to Earth in its monthly orbit.
Black Moon’s might be basically synonymous with New Moons, but according to EarthSky, tomorrow night’s lunar confluence will have a drastic impact on tides.
As a result, the moon will have a drastic impact on tides. According to EarthSky, the closeness of the moon will likely correlate in extra large spring tides where the discrepancy between low and high tides is especially stark.
Those will stand in contrast to ‘neap tides’ which are characteristic of first quarter moon phases and exhibit very little discrepancy between low and high tide.
Unfortunately, though the tidal effects may be great, the visual footprint will be decidedly less so.
The Black Moon just like a New Moon will blend in with the sky, meaning darkness is its defining visual feature.
As noted by CNN, however, dark skies — especially those not infiltrated by the light of the moon — are perfect for other types of stargazing.
For those with the right equipment, the Milky Way Galaxy is best seen in the summer.
