Pink moon to rise over Kentucky, then a meteor shower. Here’s when to catch a glimpse
A springtime full moon will rise above Kentucky soon, but why is it called the pink moon and will it look any different from most full moons?
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 look at the pink moon this year in Fayette County.
When will the pink moon peak in Lexington?
The pink moon will peak at 7:49 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time Tuesday in Lexington, but you might catch a better view later as the sun sets at 8:21 p.m.
The moon will appear full from Monday morning to Thursday morning, NASA reports.
The National Weather Service Louisville office forecasts Tuesday night will be mostly cloudy in Lexington, with a 50% chance of showers and a low around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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
The Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club has several stargazing events planned for the season, including a Raven Run Nature Sanctuary gathering May 4 and an event at Shaker Village of Plesant Hill May 11.
Kentucky 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 astronomy publication Space.com, and should be more visible than the 2023 Aquarids because the moon won’t interfere as much.
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.
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