As reported by Universe Today, the night of Wednesday, February 18 will feature a phenomenon known as a “Black Moon.” This is a unique type of New Moon which satisfies one of three scenarios.
The first factor contributing to the phenomenon is a month missing a Full or a New Moon; February is the only month in which this is possible, due to the lunar period of 29.5 days. The last February in which this occurred was in 2014, and the next will be in 2018.
The second is a second New Moon in a month that contains two new moons; this can transpire in any month except for February.
The third is that the “Black Moon” is the third New Moon in an astronomical season that contains four new moons. The New Moon on February 18 fits this criterion, with the fourth New Moon of this season occurring on March 20. March 20 also will witness the next total solar eclipse, although totality will be visible only from the high Arctic; this eclipse will offer observers a chance to ‘see’ the New Moon as it passes across the face of the Sun.
The New Moon, i.e., “Black Moon”, on February will happen seven hours, 42 minutes before the Moon’s perigee, its closest approach to Earth. During this perigee, the Moon will be only 115 kilometers farther away than it will be on the closest perigee of 2015, which will happen on September 28. The Moon’s proximity during perigee leads to greater than average tidal activity on Earth.
