Human WorldSpace

No new moon for February 2014

After a surfeit of new moons in January (well, two), the month of February 2014 has no new moon at all. The synodic period of the moon – from one new moon to the next – is 29.53 days. In a month as short as February, that means a moon phase could easily be left out. That’s the case for February 2014.

The next new moon – launching the start of lunation #1128 – will be March 1 at 0800 UTC (3:00 a.m. EST). March 2014 will have two new moons as well. The second new moon in a single calendar month is sometimes called a Black Moon.

The moon is new when it's most nearly between the Earth and sun for a particular month.  It's only when the moon comes exactly between the Earth and sun that we on Earth view an eclipse.   Image via Honolulu.hawaii.edu
The moon is new when it’s most nearly between the Earth and sun for a particular month. It’s only when the moon comes exactly between the Earth and sun that we on Earth view an eclipse. Image via Honolulu.hawaii.edu

More interesting, perhaps, February 2018 will have no full moon at all, whereas the months of January and March 2018 will both harbor two full moons. The second full moon in a single calendar month is often called a Blue Moon. The next Blue Moon by this definition will occur on July 31, 2015.

Bottom line: February 2014 doesn’t have a new moon.

Read more about January 2014’s two new moons. The second one was called a Black Moon.

Understanding new moon.

Can you tell me full moon names?

Posted 
February 28, 2014
 in 
Human World

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Deborah Byrd

View All