Black Moon: Why the New Moon on February 18th is Special

By David Dickinson February 18, 2015
Black Moon: Why the New Moon on February 18th is Special

  • A month missing a Full or New Moon… this can only occur in February, as the lunar synodic period from like phase to phase is 29.5 days long. This last occurred in 2014 and will next occur in 2018.

  • The second New Moon in a month with two. This can happen in any calendar month except February.

  • And now for the most convoluted definition: the third New Moon in an astronomical season with four.

    • David Dickinson

    David Dickinson

    David Dickinson is a freelance science writer and long-time sky watcher. He has built telescopes and observatories, chased eclipses, and travels and observes with his wife, Myscha, on a mission to get ‘eyes on the sky’ worldwide. His books The Universe Today Ultimate Guide to Observing the Cosmos, The Astronomer’s Deep-Sky Field Guide and science fiction short stories are available here.