A rare black moon will rise over Oregon on Aug. 22 and 23. What to know
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A rare black moon will rise over Oregon on Aug. 22 and 23. What to know
A black moon occurs when summer’s normal “three new moons” are followed by a fourth new moon, which occurs approximately every 33 months. The black moon will pass through a new moon phase beginning at 11:06 p.m. Pacific Time on Aug. 22, according to Space.com. Oregon will see mostly clear skies throughout the state on the night of August 22, the National Weather Service says. The forecast calls for a 5% to 34% chance of cloud cover in the Willamette Valley and southern Oregon.
This rare black moon is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when summer’s normal “three new moons” are followed by a fourth new moon, which occurs approximately every 33 months, creating a black moon during the third moon cycle, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
When a black moon rises, its sunlit side faces away from Earth, allowing Oregon’s already dark skies to appear even darker and increasing the potential to clearly see stars and planets.
Here’s what to know about the black moon.
Why do black moons occur?
A black moon is a unique new moon that can occur under three astronomical patterns that include:
When two new moons rise during the same month, the second is a black moon.
During a season of four new moons, the third is a black moon. This is what will occur Aug. 22 and 23.
A very rare occurrence when there are no new moons in February. When this happens, January and March will see two new moons with one being a black moon. This only occurs every 19 years.
When will the black moon rise over Oregon?
The black moon will pass through a new moon phase beginning at 11:06 p.m. Pacific Time on Aug. 22, according to Space.com
Will it be cloudy in Oregon during August’s black moon?
Oregon will see mostly clear skies throughout the state on the night of Aug. 22, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast calls for a 5% to 34% chance of cloud cover in the Willamette Valley and southern Oregon. Parts of eastern Oregon will see up to a 31% chance of cloud cover. The Oregon Coast will see the most clouds with a 6-28% chance of cloud cover along the central and northern coast, and 46-70% toward the southern Coast.
When was the last black moon visible in Oregon?
The last seasonal Black Moon occurred on May 19, 2023.
When is the next black moon?
The next black moon will rise on Aug. 31, 2027.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at@GinnieSandoval.