What occurs during a new moon phase?

During a new moon phase, the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun. This alignment means that the side of the moon that is illuminated by the sun is facing away from the Earth, making the moon appear almost invisible to us. This is why we cannot see the moon at this time, as the sun's light is not reflecting towards our planet.

This phase is characterized by the absence of moonlight. It creates a perfect opportunity for observing celestial events like lunar eclipses, which happen when the moon moves directly behind the Earth in its shadow. The new moon is not the time when the moon is fully illuminated or at its largest size, as those conditions occur during the full moon and around the first quarter moon phases, respectively.