No, this isn’t about vampires or young adult fiction—but Texas skies will witness a new moon later this month, and more in the months to come. While these events may not be as exciting as a movie scene, they do mark an important part of the lunar cycle and offer a moment to appreciate the sky above.
What is a New Moon?
A new moon is a phase of the moon when it appears completely dark in the night sky. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this happens when the moon is between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight from bouncing back to Earth.
It’s the exact opposite of a full moon. During a full moon, we see the moon fully lit. But during a new moon, it blends in with the sky and becomes nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Why Do We Call It a “New” Moon?
The term “new moon” comes from the idea that this phase starts a new lunar cycle. The moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, and that’s why we get a new moon roughly once a month.
Fun Fact:
The word “moon” is believed to come from the Latin terms “metri” (to measure) and “mensis” (month), since ancient people used the moon to measure time and months.
What Happens During a New Moon?
Although we can’t see much, a lot is happening in the sky:
- The moon is between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight from reflecting off its surface
- We don’t see the moon glowing, and the night sky looks darker
- If the alignment is perfect, we get a solar eclipse—but that’s rare
During new moons, some people also follow old folklore traditions, like planting crops or making wishes, based on the belief that this phase brings fresh beginnings.
Upcoming New Moon Dates in Texas (2025)
Here are the dates when you can expect to experience the new moon phase in Texas this year:
- June: Wednesday, 25th
- July: Thursday, 24th
- August: Saturday, 23rd
- September: Sunday, 21st
- October: Tuesday, 21st
- November: Thursday, 20th
- December: Friday, 19th
You can check the full list of 2025 lunar phases on the Farmer’s Almanac website, which also includes details about moon behavior, old sayings, and even how some crescent moons look like smiling faces in the sky.