Tonight signifies the New Moon along with a partial solar eclipse in select locations. Viewers in New Zealand, Antarctica, and the South Pacific will see part of the Sun covered, creating a crescent form.

Solar eclipses take place solely during the New Moon phase of the lunar cycle, as this occurs when the Moon lies directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow upon Earth.

What additional events are associated with tonight’s New Moon?

The current moon phase is New Moon, indicating it is entirely unnoticeable from Earth. NASA’s Daily Moon Observation verifies 0% visibility this evening. As a result, there will be nothing visible on its surface, but the moon will begin to show itself again tomorrow.

The subsequent full moon will take place on Oct. 6. The previous full moon was on Sept. 7.

Moon phases are the result of the moon’s 29.5-day orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. These phases depict how the moon looks from Earth. We consistently observe the same side of the moon, but the lit area shifts according to its orbit. This cycle comprises eight primary phases:

New Moon – The moon sits between Earth and the sun, rendering it invisible.

Waxing Crescent – A small illuminated segment is visible on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter – A portion of the moon is lit on the right side, resembling a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is illuminated, but not entirely.

Full Moon – The whole face of the moon is bright.

Waning Gibbous – The moon begins to lose light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Another half-moon, with illumination on the left side.

Waning Crescent – A slim strip of light persists on the left side before fading into darkness once more.