This weekend, something remarkable will happen in our night sky, or rather, something won’t happen that makes everything else more visible. On August 23rd, 2025, we’ll experience a seasonal black moon, the third new moon in a summer season that contains four new moons. Unlike the brilliant full moons that capture our attention, this celestial event remains invisible to our eyes, yet its impact offers stargazers an extraordinary gift.
Sometimes the most profound cosmic experiences come not from what we see, but from what we can’t see. The black moon occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, rendering its illuminated side completely hidden from view. This invisibility, however, creates the perfect canvas for celestial observation.
The summer of 2025 brings us four new moons: June 25th, July 2th4, August 23rd, and September 21st. This third one (the black moon) presents an ideal opportunity for community stargazing. Without the moon’s light pollution, the night sky transforms into a breathtaking display of stars, planets, and galaxies.
We invite you to look toward the Summer Triangle constellation, formed by the bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair. With the black moon’s darkness, you’ll witness the Milky Way streaming through this triangle and down toward the southern horizon in all its glory. This sight connects us not only to the universe but to each other, as communities across the Northern Hemisphere share in this experience.
The black moon teaches us that sometimes, what we cannot see creates space for deeper understanding. It reminds us that in both astronomy and life, our clearest vision often emerges in moments of darkness. This weekend, we encourage you to step outside, look up, and embrace the invisible phenomenon that makes the universe more visible than ever.
What cosmic wonders will you discover when the moon’s light steps aside?
