A ‘super pink moon’ is lighting up the skies this week — here’s when you can see it
Calling all Instagram astronomers: Get your cameras ready.
That’s because another supermoon is lighting up skies around the world this week. And although every full moon is a fairly photo-worthy experience, this one is pretty special.
The phenomenon, called the “super pink moon,” will actually be the brightest full moon of the year. And, although the moon won’t be very pink, it will be a bright, eye-catching shade of orange.
When you can see the ‘super pink moon’
The full moon will be visible in North America on April 7, rising in the east that evening and setting in the west during the morning of April 8.
So, if you’re looking to catch the bright lights, find a clear spot to look eastward as the sun sets Tuesday night — particularly around 10:35 EST, when the moon will reach peak illumination.
And don’t freak out if you miss it. The next supermoon, called the “full flower moon,” will appear exactly one month later, on May 7.
Wait, why is it called a ‘super pink moon?’
Most full moon names trace back to Native Americans, or to Colonial-era sources, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. Those traditions can lead to some exciting moon origin stories, such as last month’s “Full Worm Moon.”
But April’s moon draws its name from a simpler place — a flower. The Phlox subulata, known commonly as the creeping phlox or moss phlox, typically blooms during early springtime in the eastern U.S.
The plant’s flowers are a bright shade of pink, leading early observers to name this month’s full moon after the blossoms it brought along.
If you liked this story, check out In The Know’s article on the truth behind real-life “vampires.”
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