The Moon keeps one side of its face pointed towards the Earth at all time but the amount of Moon we see varies every single night.
The monthly New Moon marks the start of the lunar cycle when the Moon’s sunlit side faces away from our home planet.
Because of this, stargazers might be fooled tonight into thinking the Moon has left the skies for good.
The New Moon will remain invisible to the unaided eye throughout the night today and will take shape once again over the next few days.
What time is the New Moon today?
The New Moon will vanish from sight everywhere around the same time but whether or not you will see it happen will depend on your location.
In London, UK, the New Moon will peak at 4.01pm GT (UTC) – more than two hours before it even peaks over the horizon.
Over on the other side of the Atlantic, the New Moon will peak at 11.01am ET over New York, US. The Moon will rise at 6.14am ET and set at 5.12pm ET.
In Los Angeles, California, the New Moon is set to peak at 8.01am PT. Moonrise will happen at 6.10am PT and set at 5.23pm PT.
Heading over east of the UK, the New Moon is scheduled for 7.01pm MST in Moscow, Russia – about two hours after the Moon vanishes below the horizon.
In New Delhi, India, the New Moon will appear at 9.31pm IST. Today, the Moon in India will set before the New Moon, at 5.37pm IST.
Over in Beijing China, the Moon sets below the horizon at 5.13pm CST and the New Moon peaks at 12.01am CST on Thursday, November 8.
And in Sydney, Australia, the New Moon will disappear at 3.01am AEDT on Thursday as well.
How does the New Moon happen?
As the lunar orb barrels simultaneously around the Earth and the Sun in tandem, different sides of the Moon face the Sun at different times.
This orbit results in varying amounts of the Moon’s Earth-facing side being lit at night.
Space agency NASA explained: “At the New Moon, the Moon is lined up between the Earth and the Sun.
“We see the side of the Moon that is not being lit by the Sun – in other words, we see no Moo at all because the brightness of the Sun outshines the dim Moon.”
When the Moon is exactly lined up with the Sun and obscures its glowing disc, we experience a solar eclipse.
The other notable phases of the Moon included the First and Third Quarter Moons as well as the brilliant Full Moon.
The lunar cycle always starts with New Moon and moves into the so-called Waxing Crescent Moon.
The Full Moon marks the mid-way point when the orb is 100 percent illuminated.
The Waning Moon starts the phase of darkening and proceeded the New Moon.