Between December 30 and 31, skywatchers will witness a rare celestial event—the Black Moon, the final astronomical phenomenon of 2024.

December 2024 will see a rare "black moon," a term for the second new moon in a calendar month. The second new moon of December will occur tonight, at 5:27 p.m. ET (2227 GMT) on Dec. 30, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory, two days after the waning moon passes by Mercury in the predawn sky.

A rare black moon will appear in the sky on December 30, making it a perfect night to go stargazing. Here's what you need to know.

The Winter Circle, a large circular pattern made of some of the brightest stars in the Northern Hemisphere's winter sky, will also be out on the night of the black moon. The rare moon phase is also near the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower on Jan. 2-3, meaning there might be some meteors visible.

New moons only appear twice in the same month about every 29 months. The next monthly black moon won’t happen until Aug. 31, 2027.

Every few years, two new moons occur in the same month - and that is what's known as a black moon. However, as with all new moons, it won't be visible from Earth. Find out more here.

Here are the best lunar events to see in 2025, including the Major Lunar Standstill, eclipses, occultations and conjunctions involving the moon.

Astronomers call it a black moon, and it something we experience often. Here’s what to know about this rare lunar occurrence. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in

Like all new moons, black moons are invisible to the human eye