December 2024 will see a rare "black moon," a term for the second new moon in a calendar month. The second new moon of December will occur tonight, at 5:27 p.m. ET (2227 GMT) on Dec. 30, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory, two days after the waning moon passes by Mercury in the predawn sky.

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.

Between December 30 and 31, skywatchers will witness a rare celestial event—the Black Moon, the final astronomical phenomenon of 2024.

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 rare black moon, the likes of which have not been seen since 2022 and will not happen again until 2027, is set to happen tonight and hide the moon from stargazers

This lunation marks the second new moon of the month, marking a rare astronomical event that adds extra astronomical significance to our zodiac world

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

A rare Black Moon will rise at the end of the year, and it will give both professional and amateur astronomers a great opportunity to view some far-away celestial bodies.