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.

A black moon also refers to the new moon phase itself when the moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, making it nearly invisible from our view. The black moon is a new moon in Capricorn, an Earth sign associated with ambition, professional goals, societal structures and authority, according to Thomas.

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

As the next full moon nears, a more rare new moon will grace tonight's sky, marking the end of 2024 — the black moon. Tonight's 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.

The Chinese Lunar New Year, starting Jan. 29, 2025, marks the Year of the Wood Snake. It’s celebrated for 15 days, ending on Feb. 12, or Lantern Festival.