Walter Freeman, associate teaching professor of physics, was interviewed by The Daily Mail about the rare celestial event known as the 'black' moon, which occurred on December 30.

The unusual astronomical occurrence, when a second new moon occurs in the space of a calendar month, happens just once every 29 months.

A new moon is essentially the opposite of a full moon. During a full moon, the side of the Moon that is illuminated by the Sun is visible, giving the Moon its glowing appearance. During a new moon, the Moon's orbit places it between the Earth and the Sun, causing its surface to appear dark as the illuminated side faces away from Earth.

"There's nothing to see when it comes to the moon itself (during the black moon), but the lack of moonlight creates ideal conditions for stargazing, making it easier to spot constellations such as Orion, Taurus and Leo," Freeman noted in the article.