Today's Black Moon: A Celestial Rarity Plus a CME Bonus!
Did you catch the sky today? We're witnessing a special astronomical event: a black moon! But what exactly is a black moon, and why is it making headlines?
Understanding the 'Black Moon'
Much like a 'blue moon' (which isn't blue!), a 'black moon' isn't an official astronomical term. Instead, it's commonly used to refer to the second new moon to occur within a single calendar month. This intriguing celestial alignment happens approximately once every 29 months, making it a relatively infrequent event.
What Happens During a New Moon?
As Noah Petro, chief of NASA’s Planetary, Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory at Goddard Space Flight Center, explains, "A black moon (or new moon) is when the moon is basically in between the Earth and the sun, not to make an eclipse, but where we don’t see the moon."
During this phase, the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. While it doesn't cause an eclipse, the side of the Moon facing us is not illuminated by the Sun, making it appear invisible from Earth. This is why it's called a 'new' moon – it's the start of a new lunar cycle.
A Bonus CME Sighting!
And as if a black moon wasn't exciting enough, today also brings us a bonus: a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)! CMEs are massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona. These events can have significant effects on space weather, including potential impacts on satellites and even aurora displays here on Earth.
Check out this incredible image capturing today's celestial phenomena:
This image, sourced from NOAA/GOES-19/CCOR-1, provides a stunning visual of these simultaneous events. It's a fantastic reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our solar system.
Stay tuned for more cosmic wonders and keep your eyes on the sky!
