It seems that the Halloween 2016 is going to be extra dark this year what with the Black Moon hanging above the horizon. But what exactly is it? The nickname for this phase of Earth's natural satellite didn't come from astronomers but rather rose in popular culture due to the difficulty of seeing it from the black night.
Halloween 2016 Will Be Perfect For Stargazers
This is because during such a celestial event, the side of the moon that isn't illuminated is facing the Earth. The Black Moon is the second new moon in a calendar month. Its counterpart is the Blue Moon, the second full moon in a month.
Last month's Black Moon occurred in the final hours of September for those living in the Western Hemisphere. When it occurred, however, it was already October for those in the Eastern Hemisphere. This upcoming Black Moon will take place on October 31 around 4:30 a.m. local time in regions including East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
So if it can't be seen, this celestial event is pretty lackluster, right? Incorrect. The lack of light coming from the moon means that the night sky of this Halloween 2016 will have plenty of opportunities for star gazers to view meteor showers. It can be remembered that just a few weeks ago, the Orionid event was dampened by the glow of the gibbous moon; an event that will persist until November 7.
Taurids Meteor Shower Increased In Visibility Due To Moonless Night
That glow would be absent this 30 or 31st, depending on your location. The next Black Moon that would fall within this day of October will not occur again until 2081, National Geographic reported. So if you're someone who's fond of the dark then taking a stroll during this cosmic occurrence would be the perfect night for you.
Furthermore, the Taurids event is fast approaching increasing the visibility of shooting stars dazzling the moonless sky. There's even a chance of seeing a fireball during such meteor shower, Brainerd Dispatch reported. So get your cameras ready, your Halloween 2016 costumes fitted, and the spookiest mood you can muster as this day of the dead is sure to take darkness to a rare low.
