A pink moon over Kansas, then a meteor shower. Don’t miss these sights in the night sky
Kansas stargazers will get the chance to see a full “pink” moon peak soon.
The pink moon gets its name not from the hue of the full moon, but because wildflowers bloom in April. Specifically, the flower “moss pink” inspired the name, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Along with the pink moon, April’s full moon is also referred to as the sprouting grass moon, egg moon, fish moon and other names, according to NASA.
Here’s when to catch a glimpse this year in Wichita.
When will the pink moon peak in Wichita?
The pink moon will peak at 6:49 p.m. Central Daylight Time Tuesday in Wichita, but you might catch a better view later as the sun sets at 8:12 p.m.
The moon will appear full from Monday morning to Thursday morning, NASA reports.
The National Weather Service forecasts Tuesday night will be partly cloudy in Wichita, with a low around 47 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Kansas Astronomical Observers will hold a meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Lake Afton Public Observatory, and visitors are welcome. You can search for more local astronomy events online at the Night Sky Network.
We are sharing some of our favorite tips for capturing the moon at its best using your iPhone - It's actually way more fun than you might think! Learn about each moon phase here: https://t.co/DosGImJUY6 pic.twitter.com/50t9ZTDN3h
— The Farmers' Almanac (@FarmersAlmanac) April 15, 2024
Kansas stargazers will get to enjoy a meteor shower in early May when the Eta Aquarids make their way across the sky. The meteor shower will peak the night of May 4, according to publication Space.com, and should be more visible than the 2023 Aquarids because the moon won’t interfere as much.
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More full moons in 2024
If you don’t get a chance to see this month’s pink moon, you’ll still have eight more opportunities to see a full moon in 2024.
Here’s this year’s full moon calendar, with information from Space.com:
May 23: Flower moon
June 21: Strawberry moon
July 21: Buck moon
Aug. 19: Sturgeon moon (supermoon and blue moon)
Sept. 17: Harvest moon (supermoon and partial lunar eclipse)
Oct. 17: Hunter’s moon (supermoon)
Nov. 15: Beaver moon (supermoon)
Dec. 15: Cold moon
Full moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The Farmers’ Almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.
