September 30, 2016 Will Host the Next New Moon

There are wondrous happenings occuring in the night sky, if we just take the time to look. The phases of the moon may go unnoticed by a majority of us, as some of them take place in the middle of the night, and many people don’t have high tech cameras to capture Instagram-worthy photos of the event. This month we have already witnessed some rather interesting lunar events, with the harvest moon occurring just a few days ago.

On September the 30th at 8:13 p.m. a new moon is set to take place in the night sky. You might be asking yourself what exactly a new moon is. A new moon is the phase of the moon when it is in conjunction with the sun and invisible from the earth, or shortly thereafter when it appears as a slender crescent. The moon appears invisible but in reality it is the dayside, or “backside,” of the moon which is being lit. This is why it appears to be invisible on earth. Friday’s new moon is technically a “black moon,” since it is the second new moon of a month, though it will appear the same as a normal new moon.

A fascination with the moon has always seemingly existed with humans. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, many cultures have developed special ceremonies around lunar cycles. Some consider the new moon as a kind of lunar rebirth, and as such plan customs accordingly. In some Muslim cultures, for instance, the new moon marks the beginning of the month.

Many believe that the moon might have effects on people and the earth around us. Astrological signs have been another lunar fascination for people as they try to figure out their lives and fortunes through horoscopes. The new moon can be acknowledged in many ways, from the astronomical to the spiritual. The next time you look up into the night sky, pause and reflect on the fact that life is moving on and recreating itself all over the world. This new moon is the second to occur this month, and with it will later come the full moon. The new moon is a fascinating occurrence that’s captivated the human imagination for millennia, so make sure to set aside time to enjoy it. While the new moon itself will be invisible, the night will, in return, be particularly dark – a perfect opportunity for stargazing!