A Black Moon is on the horizon, but if it brings a particular Creedence Clearwater Revival lyric to mind, don’t fret: This one isn’t harmful. A Black Moon isn’t an officially recognized astronomical term, but it serves as an intriguing nickname that can denote various lunar situations.

Right now, the topic of conversation is about an event happening on Aug. 23. When an astronomical season, lasting about three months, features four new moons instead of the usual three, the third one is often referred to as a Black Moon. This occurrence transpires approximately every 33 months.

Before you reach for a telescope or binoculars, understand there’s nothing to observe: The moon will vanish into the dark. The real advantage of a Black Moon is the clarity of everything else in the cosmos you might have overlooked.

“Seeing the Milky Way is your best option,” stated Jeff Rich, an astronomy outreach coordinator for Carnegie Science. “When the moon is up, it causes light pollution, which makes it challenging to spot faint objects.”

Here’s what you need to know about the Black Moon.

Professional astronomers favor new moon phases because they provide darker skies for observing faint celestial objects.

As a reminder, a new moon stands in contrast to a full moon. It happens when the far side of the moon — the side that does not face Earth — is illuminated by the sun, rendering it completely dark from our perspective.

“At times, the entire face of the moon shines brightly,” according to NASA. “Other times we see merely a slim crescent of light. Occasionally, the moon appears to vanish.”

The progression follows this sequence: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. Each cycle spans roughly 29.5 days.

Similar to Earth, the moon possesses a day side and a night side, which shifts as it rotates. The amount of the moon’s face that is visible changes as it orbits. The new moon is also situated near the sun in the sky, hence it rises and sets with the sun, making it undetectable at night.

Typically, each astronomical season consists of three new moons, but occasionally, due to the moon’s cycle not syncing with the calendar, an additional new moon may occur.

The origins of the name of this extra new moon and when it was first used remain unclear. Adding to the ambiguity, this isn’t the sole lunar event termed a Black Moon. Frequently, when a calendar month contains two new moons, the second is called a Black Moon, comparable to how the second full moon in a month is referred to as a Blue Moon. This type of Black Moon takes place approximately once every 29 months.

Considering that Black Moons are unseen, you might find yourself questioning why they are a topic of discussion. Go ask the internet.

In the meantime, take advantage of this new moon for one of the finest stargazing prospects. Some celestial bodies that are typically fuzzy or dim — meteors, galaxies, and nebulas — may become more distinct. If you’re uncertain about the prime viewing locations, Rich recommends reaching out to your local astronomy club for details, including what telescopes and equipment to employ.

“For astronomers, new moons are perfect for spotting faint objects,” he mentioned. “That’s the prime time to gaze at the night sky.”