ATLANTA — This April, the full moon might seem a bit smaller than usual. Often called the “pink moon,” it will actually shine in a white-golden hue. This is because it’s a micromoon, which means it’s at its farthest point from Earth, known as apogee. You can catch it rising on Saturday evening, peaking at 6:22 p.m. MT.
NASA planetary scientist Dr. Noah Petro explains that the moon’s orbit around Earth isn’t a perfect circle; it’s more like an egg shape. There are times of the year when the moon is closer to us and times when it’s farther away. This month’s micromoon will be the smallest of three micromoons in 2025, with another one coming in May, as noted by EarthSky.
To make the most of the view, NASA suggests using binoculars or a telescope and finding a dark spot away from city lights.
When it comes to size, this micromoon will be about 30,000 miles farther from us than November’s supermoon. During a supermoon, the full moon is at perigee, the closest point in its orbit. Dr. Petro mentions that a micromoon can appear up to 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than a supermoon. For most people, these differences are subtle. However, keen observers can notice the changes through photographs.
Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi states that this micromoon will look about 6% smaller than an average full moon. Masi runs the Virtual Telescope Project, where you can watch the lunar event live.
So why is it called the “pink moon” if it’s not pink? The name comes from spring flowers, like the pink wildflower Phlox subulata, which bloom around the same time. Native American tribes also have their own names for this moon, often related to spring growth.
In Christianity, this full moon is significant because it determines the date of Easter. It’s known as the Paschal moon, the first full moon after the spring equinox.
Looking ahead, there are eight more full moons in 2025. Mark your calendars for significant ones like the supermoons in October, November, and December.
- May 12: Flower moon
- June 11: Strawberry moon
- July 10: Buck moon
- Aug. 9: Sturgeon moon
- Sept. 7: Corn moon
- Oct. 6: Harvest moon
- Nov. 5: Beaver moon
- Dec. 4: Cold moon
Besides full moons, keep an eye out for meteor showers throughout the year. Here are some peak dates:
- Lyrids: April 21–22
- Eta Aquariids: May 5–6
- Perseids: Aug. 12–13
- Geminids: Dec. 12–13
Later this year, two eclipse events will also light up the sky. A total lunar eclipse will be visible on Sept. 7-8, mostly from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In a lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks the sun’s light, giving the moon a reddish hue—often called a “blood moon.” A partial solar eclipse will follow on Sept. 21, visible in parts of Australia and the Pacific.
As stargazers look to the sky, it’s clear that every lunar event brings a unique beauty and significance, invoking connections between nature and culture.
Check out this related article: Webb Telescope Makes History: Capturing the First-Ever Planetary Engulfment Event!
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