newmoon

New moon, or newmoon, is the lunar phase in which the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. During this alignment the side of the Moon facing Earth is not illuminated, making the Moon effectively invisible in the night sky. The new moon marks the start of a new lunar cycle and a new lunar month in many calendars.

The cycle from one new moon to the next is called a synodic month and lasts about 29.53 days. Because the illuminated half of the Moon faces away from Earth during the new moon, observers typically cannot see the Moon. A very thin crescent may be visible just after sunset or just before sunrise on the day of the new moon or in the days immediately following, depending on geometry and atmospheric conditions. Solar eclipses occur only when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align closely near the time of a new moon.

Tides are influenced by the Moon’s alignment with the Sun. Spring tides, which produce higher high tides and lower low tides, occur during both the new moon and the full moon when gravitational forces reinforce each other.

Culturally, the new moon often serves as a marker for the beginning of a month in lunar calendars. Some cultures rely on direct visual sighting of the crescent to determine the start of a new month, while others use calculations of the new moon’s timing.

In popular culture, New Moon is the title of Stephenie Meyer’s 2006 novel in the Twilight series, and its 2009 film adaptation follows the earlier work of Twilight.