Followers of social media may know what a “black moon” is. It has been linked to dramatic predictions of doom and gloom. However it's not an astronomical term. So what is a black moon and would we survive it?

Black Moon – Is That a Thing ?

Seen on social media:

Get Ready For a Major Shift:
The Rare Black Moon Rising in Scorpio
September 30, 2016
(This rare event won't happen again until 2019!)

In fact, this rare event happened again twice the following month. There was a "black moon" on October 30th in some parts of the world and another on October 31st farther east.

Ordinary folk can't see a new Moon. All the sunlight that falls on it is reflected back towards the Sun. In addition, it rises and sets with the Sun so it's lost in the Sun's glare.

But French astrophotographer Thierry Legault isn't ordinary folk. He sets amazing photographic challenges for himself and is successful. Using a telescope, special filters and quite a lot of preparation, Legault captured a new Moon when its age was zero.

Very cool!