New Moon 2023: Calendar, Dates, Times

Written by Apple Updated Jan. 10, 2023

In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase. It marks the first day of the month in the Chinese calendar. At this phase, the moon is not visible to the naked eye.

What is a New Moon?

The new moon is a phase of the moon, which occurs when the moon orbits the earth and interfaces between the sun and the earth, the moon is in line with the sun. At this moment, the dark side of the moon facing away from the sun faces the earth, so the moon cannot be seen from the earth. It seems to have disappeared from our view at this phase of the lunar cycle.

 When the moon is perfectly aligned in front of the Sun, it blocks out the Sun, giving us a solar eclipse.

When to See the New Moon?

The new moon marks the beginning of the month in the Chinese calendar. It is when the moon gradually moves away from the sun and the crescent moon gradually emerges.

At the beginning of each month in the Chinese calendar, when viewed from the earth, the moon and the sun have the same longitude, and the moon and the sun are in the same position but not in the same place.

Then the moon gradually moves away from the sun, and the angle between the moon and the sun on the celestial sphere becomes larger and larger, which indicates that the side of the moon that reflects sunlight faces the earth. On the seventh or eighth day, half of the side that reflects the sun faces the earth, and the moon looks like a semicircle. The phase of the moon moves to the first quarter moon.

New Moon Calendar 2023

A new moon recurs every 29.53 days — the synodic period of the Moon. In 2022, there will be 12 new moons. 

Month Time (ET) Star Sign
January 22 13:33 Aquarius
 February 20 00:49 Pisces
March 22 12:25 Aries
April 20 02:27   Aries 
May 19 07:32 Taurus
June 18 22:53 Gemini
July 18 13:55 Cancer
August 16 04:16 Leo
September 15 17:54 Virgo
October 15 (Solar Eclipse) 06:48 Libra
November 13 17:57 Scorpio
December 13 05:17 Sagittarius

New Moon Effects on Physiology/Mood

It is believed that the low light of a new moon might make us quite sensitive. People demonstrate more erratic behavior during this time.

In theory, the low light of a new moon could disturb people's sleep, which could influence their mood. People are more irritable when they don't get enough sleep. Also, little moonlight is conducive to nocturnal activities, whether outdoor crime or outings of the mentally ill.

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