You read our caption correctly, there was indeed a partial solar eclipse on Saturday, April 30, 2022. This was a webcast by the astronomical blog site Time and Date, which happened around Chile and Argentina. As it turns out, this phenomenon has coincided with the Eid celebrations. Dear Muslims, as you end your season of fasting and prayers, find some time to witness the Black Moon, as it meets the end of Ramadan for the first time in… who knows.
Related media: Spiritual Meaning Of Black Moon Solar Eclipse 2022
Whence Cometh Black Moon?
A rare astronomical spectacle that is not typical in our sky. But the recent solar eclipse last weekend (April 30) has coincided with one of the largest festivals on the Islamic calendar: Eid Al-Fitr — the end of the holy month of Ramadan. All this depends on the actual sighting of the crescent moon as Eid falls on either Sunday, May 01 or Monday, May 02 this year.
The new moon of April, or as Muslims call it Shawwal on the Islamic calendar, was witnessed with one more celestial event. There was a close-range visual of Venus and Jupiter just before sunrise on Saturday, April 30. Later on, this May, keep your eye peeled for the Eta Aquarid meteor shower probably on Wednesday, May 04, and Thursday, May 05.
Now, whence cometh the Black Moon? According to Time and Date, the term is not official though but outlined two possible scenarios for which this rare event could happen. As you know, a new moon happens when the Moon is fully eclipsed (in shadow) from its position relative to the Earth. When this alignment happens, only will there be a solar eclipse, albeit rarely.
Black Moon Meets Eid
Time and Date says, “the two types of Black Moon are the second new moon in a single calendar month, or the third new moon in a season of four new moons.”
From this definition, then April’s black moon fits the bill. But spoiler alert, you won’t be able to see it. Sorry! This is what you could have seen: the partial solar eclipse, but you had to be in the right position and at the right time. Kinda! If you were not there in position, you could have seen it online. This eclipse happened across parts of Antarctica, the southern tip of South America, and the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
[From the Editorial Board here at The Factionary, we apologize for not informing you earlier.]
Venus Meets Jupiter
Fortunately enough, this is what you can see, at least for a while. There was rare conjunction or close approach of the planets Venus and Jupiter, and the duo lineup in an epic five five-world lineup was visible until June. This event happened on April 30, but will Venus and Jupiter will still be visible for some time. Go catch a glimpse before it goes away for good.
Fortunately again, you can witness the leftovers from Comet Halley as they sweep through our orbit to produce the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. The new moon is just a few days in its new phase, so the meteor shower will be a wonderful spectacle. Get a glimpse before it’s too late.
Finally, stay tuned for more updates about astronomical events from The Factionary. We’ll prepare tips and guides on your best chances of witnessing celestial events at first-hand experience.
Let us know if you’ll witness any of these events later.
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Written by: Nana Kwadwo, Sat, Apr 30, 2022.