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When is the next black moon in the UK, why do they happen and what are they?
The elusive scientific phenomenon is a rare astrological event
Updated: 17 Feb 2018, 11:16
A RARE black moon is set to return to our skies.
The astrological phenomenon takes place when there are two new moons in a month - or no new moon in February. Here's all the info on the bizarre lunar event.
As the Earth casts a shadow, the Black Moon phenomenon occursCredit: Getty Images
What is a black moon and when does it occur?
The term black moon can be used to describe when there are two new moons in one month.
This is unusual - as typically, a new moon occurs every 29.5 days.
According to space.com: "At its 'new moon' phase, the moon is always black.
"It happens at that time of the month when the moon passes through the same part of the sky as the sun and as such, the moon's dark or un-illuminated side faces Earth."
As a black moon only ever occurs when there are two new moons in the same month, the unusual phenomenon only appears every 32 months.
Depending on where you live in the world, the black moon can be witnessed at different times of the year.
The second definition of black moons is when there's no new moon in February, the only month this can happen.
It will be tricky to spot the rare celestial event
When is the next black moon?
Black moons typically only occur every 32 months.
The next one is scheduled to take place in February 2018.
What's the difference between a black moon and a blue moon?
This is not to be confused with a blue moon - a different lunar phenomenon.
Joe Rao from space.com explained: "A second full moon in a single calendar month is sometimes called a blue moon.
"A black moon is supposedly the flip side of a blue moon - the second new moon in a single calendar month."
What does a black moon mean?
As well as capturing the attention of astrologists, pagans also consider a black moon an important event.
In some aspects of paganism, especially Wiccans, a black moon is considered a special time when spells and rituals are considered to be more powerful and effective.
However, in some belief systems, they think that rituals and other workings should not be carried out during this time.
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