Although new Moons, astronomically speaking, aren’t much to look at (literally), they do mark the start of a new lunar cycle. And this month, in February, the new Moon also marks the start of the Lunar New Year.
In China, the Lunar New Year is a time for removing negative energy from the previous year while welcoming good fortune and prosperity for the new. It’s a time for celebrating family and warding off evil spirits.
For those who believe in astrology (spoiler: there's not much science to it), a new Moon, in general, represents a fresh start. It's a time for setting intentions, initiating projects, and focusing on personal growth. Astrologers believe that the energy of the new Moon is conducive to planning and planting seeds for the future.
It is often associated with introspection, goal setting, and the opportunity for personal renewal in various aspects of life. Different astrological signs supposedly influence how this energy manifests for individuals.
Of course, astrology is somewhat subjective, so it's best taken with a pinch of salt.
But new Moons are exciting for another reason – a much more ‘visible’ reason; solar eclipses. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun. Likewise, because a new Moon occurs when it’s on the same side of the Earth as the Sun, a solar eclipse can only happen on a new Moon.
When is the next new Moon?
The next new Moon will be 9 February 2024.
Like full Moons, new Moons have been given names according to the seasons. These generally tally up with the accompanying full Moon of the same lunar cycle.
The start of each lunar cycle is marked by a new Moon. A new Moon occurs every 29.53 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds to be exact).
Here are all the new Moons in 2024, as seen from London:
- 11 January, 11:57am: New Wolf Moon
- 9 February, 10:59pm: New Snow Moon
- 10 March, 9am: New Worm Moon
- 8 April, 6:21pm: New Pink Moon*
- 8 May, 3:22am: New Flower Moon
- 6 June, 12:38pm: New Strawberry Moon
- 5 July, 10:57pm: New Buck Moon
- 4 August, 11:13am: New Sturgeon Moon
- 3 September, 1:56am: New Corn/Harvest Moon
- 2 October, 6:49pm: New Hunter’s Moon
- 1 November, 12:47pm: New Beaver Moon
- 1 December, 6:21am: New Cold Moon
- 30 December, 10:27pm: Black Moon
*accompanied by a solar eclipse
When is the Lunar New Year?
The Lunar New Year (also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival) falls on the second new Moon after the winter solstice. The date of the Lunar New Year can vary between 21 January and 20 February, in our Gregorian calendar.
This year, in 2024, the Lunar New Year begins on 10 February 2024.
In China (as well as other countries in East Asia), it’s one of the most important times of the year, when festivities can last up to 16 days. The first 7 days are marked as an official public holiday, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival – and the arrival of the full Moon – on 24 February 2024.
The lunar calendar consists of 12 months, with each month being approximately 29.5 days long (the length of one lunar cycle). In much the same way that we fiddle with the number of days in February every four years, in the Chinese calendar an extra month is added every few years.
This happens approximately every three years (seven times in 19 years). It creates a ‘leap month’, to ensure the lunar months align with the seasons over time.
An ancient lunisolar calendar
The Chinese calendar is a ‘lunisolar calendar’, as it takes into account both the phases of the Moon and the position of the Sun. It long predates our Gregorian calendar, with origins that trace back to around the 14th Century BC. Whereas, our Gregorian calendar only began in 1582 when it replaced (modified) the previous Julian calendar.
In China, each year is designated one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. This year, in 2024, we’re celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. It will last until 29 January 2025, and then we’ll slither into the Year of the Snake.
What is a super new Moon?
Like full supermoons, you can also get super new Moons.
The term ‘supermoon’ is an unofficial designation that describes when a full Moon appears bigger and brighter than usual. Of course, you can’t see a new Moon, but the same principle applies. It’s a useful way to emphasise the Moon’s proximity to us without having to go into detail.
As the Moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical orbit, there are points along this orbit which are closer to us and points along this orbit which are further away from us. So naturally, throughout the year, the Moon's distance away from us fluctuates, depending on where it is along this orbital path.
When the Moon reaches its closest point to us, this is called lunar perigee. When it’s furthest away from us, it’s known as lunar apogee.
If perigee occurs close to a new Moon, then we get a super new Moon.
There are three super new Moons in 2024:
- 9 February, 10:59pm: 359,676km away
- 10 March, 9am: 356,922km away
- 8 April, 6:21pm: 359,364km away
Can you see a new Moon?
No, you cannot see a new Moon.
A new Moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, and therefore, the illuminated side is facing away from us.
This configuration means the new Moon will rise around sunrise, and set around sunset, keeping pace with the Sun in the sky. i.e., a new Moon is up during the day. The Moon is essentially lost in the Sun’s glare, and as a result, the Moon is not visible from our perspective.
A new Moon is invisible to the naked eye. As well as being lost in the Sun's glare, sunlight is also not reaching the side of the Moon facing us.
The new Moon marks the beginning of the lunar cycle before it moves through the different phases. As the lunar cycle progresses, it becomes increasingly visible as more sunlight is reflected and it moves away from the alignment with the Sun.
The first visible phase of the Moon is a very thin, sliver-like waxing crescent, which occurs just after the new Moon. It appears in the western sky after sunset.
As close as you'll get to seeing the new Moon
During a solar eclipse, with the proper eye protection (because of course, never look directly at the Sun), you’ll be able to see the shape of the Moon as it passes in front of the Sun, but you won’t be able to see any details.
There is also a phenomenon called ‘earthshine’. This is where during its slimmest crescent stage, the un-illuminated part of the Moon becomes visible. It’s caused when sunlight reflects off the Earth, gently illuminating the night side of the lunar surface. This, in turn, is reflected back towards us. It creates an effect where the un-illuminated part emits a ghostly glow, creating an ethereal full-looking Moon, even though it’s not during the full Moon phase.
Earthshine typically occurs during the spring months, a few days on either side of the new Moon. So, it’s not quite a new Moon, but if you’re desperate to see the new Moon, it’s as close as you’re likely to get.
New Moons and solar eclipses
The relationship between solar eclipses and new Moons is intertwined; you cannot have a solar eclipse without a new Moon.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. It blocks out all (total solar eclipse) or a portion (partial solar eclipse) of the Sun's light. This alignment can only occur during the new Moon phase, as this is when the Moon is positioned directly between the Earth and the Sun.
The next solar eclipse is happening on 8 April 2024, when the path of totality will travel across Mexico, the US and Canada. Western-most parts of the UK and Ireland will experience a partial solar eclipse.
However, not every new Moon results in a solar eclipse. This is because the Moon’s orbital plane is slightly different to that of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. There’s approximately a 5-degree difference. This small difference is usually enough to allow the new Moon to pass above or below the Sun, without blocking it out. In other words, no eclipse.
What is a Black Moon?
The term ‘Black Moon’ is used to describe the new Moon equivalent of a Blue Moon. There are a few different definitions of a Black Moon, but usually, it refers to when there are two new Moons in a single calendar month. This is simply down to the number of days in the month and the way the calendar falls.
Some people also refer to a Black Moon when there is no new Moon in one calendar month. This can occur in February, when there is no new Moon every 19 years or so, due to the shorter length of the month compared to the lunar cycle.
The next Black Moon (using the definition where there are two new Moons in one month) will be on 30 December 2024 at 10:27pm GMT.
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