by A rare type of moon will generate a solar eclipse on Saturday (April 30) just ahead of one of the largest festivals in the Muslim calendar: Eid Al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of fasting.
Depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon phase, Eid falls on Sunday (May 1) or Monday (May 2) this year.
The April new moon, or the Shawwal Moon to Muslims following the Islamic calendar, will also herald two more celestial events.
First, a close approach of Venus and Jupiter just before sunrise on Saturday.
Then keep your eyes peeled for the peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower on May 4 and 5.
So what's a Black Moon?
While not an official astronomical term, Timeanddate.com outlines two situations where the community says this rare new moon happens.
(A new moon happens when the moon is fully in shadow from Earth's perspective, and is the only alignment during which solar eclipses can happen, albeit rarely.)
Source
Depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon phase, Eid falls on Sunday (May 1) or Monday (May 2) this year.
The April new moon, or the Shawwal Moon to Muslims following the Islamic calendar, will also herald two more celestial events.
First, a close approach of Venus and Jupiter just before sunrise on Saturday.
Then keep your eyes peeled for the peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower on May 4 and 5.
So what's a Black Moon?
While not an official astronomical term, Timeanddate.com outlines two situations where the community says this rare new moon happens.
(A new moon happens when the moon is fully in shadow from Earth's perspective, and is the only alignment during which solar eclipses can happen, albeit rarely.)
Source
