Liputan6.com, Jakarta The astronomical phenomenon known as the Black Moon will once again grace the skies on August 22, 2025.
Although the term has no official definition in astronomy, a Black Moon refers to a New Moon with unique characteristics and a relatively rare occurrence.
The arrival of the Black Moon on August 22, 2025, is a special moment for skywatchers.
Although the Moon itself cannot be seen, this phase creates extremely dark night skies, ideal for observing faint celestial objects such as stars, galaxies, or even meteor showers.
For some regions of the world, this Black Moon will occur on August 22, 2025.
The impact on the night sky remains the same: the highly anticipated maximum darkness.
What Exactly is Black Moon Actually?
The term "Black Moon" isn't official astronomy, but it has become popular among skywatchers to describe several unusual New Moon scenarios.
One of the most common definitions is a Monthly Black Moon, which occurs when there are two New Moons in a single calendar month.
This phenomenon occurs relatively frequently, occurring approximately once every 29 months.
This is a situation where the New Moon cycle, which lasts approximately 29.5 days, is "stuck" within a given calendar month.
Another, less common definition is a Seasonal Black Moon, which refers to the third New Moon in an astronomical season that unusually has four New Moons.
Typically, an astronomical season only has three New Moons.
This type of Black Moon occurs approximately once every 33 months, making it even rarer.
Furthermore, there is a specific definition of a Black Moon for February, which occurs when there is no New Moon or no Full Moon at all during that month.
This can only occur in February because it is the only calendar month with a shorter duration than the lunar phase cycle.
Black Moon Phenomenon Details August 22, 2025
The Black Moon that will occur in August 2025 is classified as a Seasonal Black Moon.
In most regions of the world, including Indonesia, this phenomenon will occur on August 22, 2025.
This event is the third New Moon of the astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
This summer begins on the June solstice (June 21, 2025) and ends on the September equinox (September 22, 2025).
During this time span, New Moons occur on June 25, July 24, August 23, and September 21, making August 23 the third New Moon.
Like other New Moon phases, the Black Moon cannot be seen directly with the naked eye.
This is because during this phase, the Moon is directly between Earth and the Sun, so the side of the Moon facing Earth is deprived of sunlight.
The Moon appears to "disappear" in the night sky.
The Black Moon on August 22, 2025, creates a very dark and clear night sky, free from the interference of moonlight.
This is an ideal time to observe stars, star clusters, the Milky Way galaxy, and other celestial phenomena.
Coincidentally, this Black Moon also coincides with the end of the Perseid meteor shower around August 24.
Comparison with Blue Moon and Other Events
The term Black Moon is often considered the "twin" or opposite of the Blue Moon phenomenon.
While a Blue Moon refers to an additional Full Moon—either the second Full Moon in a calendar month or the third Full Moon in a season with four Full Moons—a Black Moon is analogous to an additional New Moon.
After the seasonal Black Moon in August 2025, subsequent Black Moon events will occur in the next few years.
The next monthly Black Moon is expected to occur on August 31, 2027.
This will be the second New Moon in August 2027.
Meanwhile, the next seasonal Black Moon will occur on August 20, 2028.
This event is also predicted to be a "Super Black Moon," as the Moon will be near perigee, the Moon's closest point to Earth.