As the next full moon nears, a rare new moon marks the end of 2024 — the black moon. The black moon is a rare celestial phenomena that happens roughly every 29 months or longer. The last one occurred in August of 2022 and the next won't come again until May of 2026.

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

That's because a black moon is the term for the second new moon to fall in a single calendar month, and new moons appear invisible to the naked eye from Earth. While new moons happen throughout the year, two new moons only fall in a single calendar month about once every 29 months, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

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.

Is the black moon really black? Everything to know about the rare black moon and when to watch the rare celestial event.

A rare Black Moon will rise at the end of the year, and it will give both professional and amateur astronomers a great opportunity to view some far-away celestial bodies.