Sky lovers, get ready! The first full moon of spring is just around the corner.
April’s full pink moon will shine brightly at 10:11 PM ET on Wednesday. Don’t let the name fool you; it won’t actually look pink. Instead, it will be the familiar bright gray we know and love. The name comes from a lovely spring flower, Phlox subulata, also called “moss pink,” which blooms around this time.
NASA’s Noah Petro shares that the moon might still look full on Tuesday and Thursday too. Both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres can enjoy the view, as the full moon phase lasts for about 12 hours surrounding its peak.
To get the best view, head to a clear area with minimal light pollution, away from trees and buildings. The darker the sky, the more magical the moon will appear.
This month’s full moon also carries significance in various Indigenous cultures. For example, the Cherokee call it “kawohni,” or flower moon, while the Hopi refer to it as “kwiyamuyaw,” meaning moon of windbreak.
But that’s not all happening this April! The full pink moon coincides with a big event: the potential launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission. Aiming to send astronauts to the moon’s vicinity, this will be the first human journey into deep space in over 50 years. The launch window runs from April 1 to 6, and each day offers a two-hour window for takeoff. As Petro notes, when you gaze at the full moon, the crew may be soaring onto their next adventure.
Looking beyond the moon, April and May are packed with celestial events. The Lyrids meteor shower peaks between April 21 and 22, with 10 to 20 meteors visible each hour, best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere. This shower originates from Comet Thatcher and is particularly enjoyable after moonset.
Next up is the Eta Aquariids on May 5-6, offering a chance to catch speedy meteors from Comet Halley. However, be prepared for less visibility due to moonlight interference.
And don’t forget: May will treat us to two full moons—one on May 1 and another on the 31st. This rare double feature happens roughly every 30 months and brings about the concept of a “blue moon.”
As these celestial events unfold, we are reminded of the connection we share with the cosmos. So grab your blankets, head outside, and enjoy what nature has to offer!
For more details on the full moon and its events, check out NASA’s official updates.
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