nymånar

Nymånar refers to the astronomical event of the new moon. This occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, and the lunar disk appears invisible or very dark from Earth. More precisely, it's when the Moon is in conjunction with the Sun, meaning it has the same ecliptic longitude. During this phase, the side of the Moon illuminated by the Sun is facing away from Earth, making it appear unlit.

The new moon marks the beginning of a lunar cycle. While the Moon is technically invisible, it is often preceded and followed by a sliver of a crescent moon, which becomes visible shortly after sunset or just before sunrise, respectively. The term "new moon" is also sometimes used to refer to the entire period when the Moon is not visible as a crescent or gibbous shape.

In many cultures and calendars, the new moon signifies the start of a new month. This is particularly true for lunisolar calendars, which base their months on the phases of the Moon. Astronomical observations of the new moon have been historically significant for timekeeping and the development of calendars.