Rare black moon rises December 30

A rare black moon will rise at the end of the year, giving both professional and amateur astronomers a great opportunity to see some distant celestial bodies.

A black moon is the term used to describe the second new moon in the same calendar month, according to TimeAndDate.com. According to NASAa new moon is the lunar phase when the light side of the Moon faces the Sun and the night side faces the Earth.

The black moon, also sometimes called an invisible moon, will rise on December 30. The Moon will gradually become more visible as it moves towards the first quarter stage on January 6.

During a new moon, the dark side faces the Earth because the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun. Another example would be during a solar eclipse when a new moon crosses the face of the sun. During this process, the Moon’s shadow is cast over the Earth.

Since the bright parts of the Moon appear to change shape during the month, each stage of the change is called a phase, and each phase carries its own name. (Image: NASA/Bill Dunford)

(NASA)

New moons are ideal for astronomers because of the lack of moonlight. This makes objects that are normally hard to see appear much clearer in the sky.

This event is an opportunity for stargazers to see stars, constellations and planets very clearly. This includes planets like Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury.