Not to be confused with a full Moon, a new Moon is usually impossible to see because it is drowned out by the Sun’s bright light during the day. (However there are some exceptions.) Learn all about this unique lunar phase and why it is an ideal time for stargazing! Plan your next starry camping trip or break out your telescope using our New Moon 2024 Calendar here.

What Is A New Moon?

A new Moon occurs when the Moon comes between the Earth and Sun, which usually happens once a month. If these celestial bodies are perfectly aligned, a solar eclipse takes place. See when the next eclipse will occur.

New Moon 2024 Dates And Times

Although seeing a big, bold, beautiful Moon light up the night sky may be breathtaking, all of that lunar light also washes out the light of the stars. If you want to see the most stars at night, stargaze around the time of a new Moon. The darkest skies of each month—the times you can see the fainter stars and constellations—is a few nights before and after the new Moon. After reviewing the calendars here, visit our monthly stargazing page to see the Best Days for Stargazing.

Lunar Names

It is a Farmers’ Almanac tradition to call out the historical names for each Moon over the course of the year. For instance, June’s Strawberry Moon. Typically these names are associated with the “full” phase—when the Moon is brightest and most apparent in the sky—but these names are actually ascribed approximately two weeks prior, upon each new Moon. We included these names in the calendars above so you may anticipate them as they grow into beautiful brightness!

Moon Deck

Curious how phases, planets, and zodiac relate to each other?

These beautiful watercolor cards tell you!

Buy now
Perfect for beginners.

A Lunar Month Or “Moonth”

Ancient civilizations around the world often used the lunar phases as a calendar. They would mark the passing of time by lunar months or “moonths.” Similar to the length of a month (approximately four weeks), a lunar month is the period of time it takes for the lunar cycle to repeat–roughly 29.5 days.

The most common start to a lunar month is the “new” phase. However this name once had a different meaning. In the ancient sense, it referred the first moment that the Moon could be observed (after being completely invisible in the sky) as it emerged in a waning crescent stage, appearing to be reborn in light.

Stargazers would witness the slimmest crescent hanging in the twilight of the western sky and call it “new,” but this sight actually occurs approximately 12-24 hours after the point that astronomers would consider to be “new” today.

Once a crescent was sighted, the new month would begin. The timing of annual religious holidays including Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Easter, and Rosh Hashanah are linked to accurately identifying lunar phases. After centuries of such observations, ancient cultures could then calculate the timing without having to see it. If their predictions were accurate enough, they could even forecast the most dramatic of astronomical events: a total solar eclipse! (Solar eclipses only happen during a “new” phase.)

When Is A New Moon Visible?

A new Moon may become visible – very, very rarely — in the event of a solar eclipse. During these times, it comes precisely between Earth and the Sun. When the Moon blocks a portion of the Sun (looking like a monster took a bite of the solar disc) this is called a partial solar eclipse.

When the Moon slides in front of and obscures the entire Sun, that is a total solar eclipse. These events only occur during a “new” phase. As a general rule, three days before and after, a crescent Moon becomes visible.

Crescent Moon Calendar

Do you love looking up at the sky and seeing a beautiful crescent Moon? Here are some of the best days, times, and directions to look:

Dean Regas

Dean Regas is an expert astronomer and a renowned author who has written six books, including 100 Things to See in the Night Sky and How to Teach Grown-Ups About Pluto. An astronomer with more than two decades of experience, Dean is a dynamic writer and public speaker who brings the complicated field of astronomy down to Earth for students of all ages. From 2010-2019, he was the co-host of the PBS program Star Gazers. He is a frequent guest on National Public Radio’s Science Friday with Ira Flatow and NPR's Here & Now. He also hosts a popular astronomy podcast called Looking Up with Dean Regas. Learn more about him at www.astrodean.com

• Dean Regas

  #molongui-disabled-link

  

  June 12, 2024

  Blaze Star Explosion - How To See The New Star
• Dean Regas

  #molongui-disabled-link

  

  May 31, 2024

  Parade Of Planets 2024
• Dean Regas

  #molongui-disabled-link

  

  October 27, 2023

  Is The "Devil Comet" Heading Towards Earth? And More FAQs
• Dean Regas

  #molongui-disabled-link

  

  October 12, 2023

  Do You See A Sun Dog or Sun Halo?