Stargazers can view the “micromoon,” also called the pink moon, this Saturday.
WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — April is full of celestial shows and the first one for stargazers to view is the “pink moon.”
Folks with clear weather can look up this Saturday to see a smaller and dimmer than usual full moon.Â
Why? It will reach its furthest point from Earth in its orbit. The “pink moon,” also known as a “micromoon,” will be the smallest full moon of the year. Despite its name, the moon will not change colors.
The full moon will reach peak illumination around 8:22 p.m. EDT, according to Space.com.
Along with being named a pink moon, this full moon is also known as the Paschal Moon, or the first full moon after the spring equinox. It is the determinant for the date of Easter, which will fall on April 20 this year.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Why is it called a pink moon?
Each month’s full moon is given a different name, with most names derived from significant aspects of nature at the time of their occurrence. For instance, June’s strawberry moon is so named because it is the season for harvesting fresh berries. August’s sturgeon moon is named after the fish of the same name, which used to appear in abundance in the Great Lakes towards the end of each summer.
According to NASA, sometime in the 1930s, the Maine Farmers’ Almanac began publishing Native American names for full moons. The names caught on and are widely used today. Â
April is a big month for flower blooms and the moon’s name is closely related to the season. More specifically, it is named after the herb, moss pink. It’s also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox or mountain phlox. You may recognize it from floral bouquets for its soft pink color and five straight petals.
The herb is native to the eastern United States and is one of the most widespread flowers of spring. Every year, around April, massive fields of moss pink bloom across much of the eastern U.S., providing a beautiful sight for nature-watchers.Â
