April's Pink Moon. Date, timing and what to know about the micromoon this weekend
The Pink Moon that rises Saturday will be a "micromoon" and look smaller than average as the satellite reaches its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, Timeanddate.com said.
Here's what to know about the Pink Moon.
The Pink Moon, April's full moon, will reach peak illumination April 12. The previous full moon was March's Worm Moon, which featured a total lunar eclipse.
Clear skies will ensure optimal viewing, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. The full moon will peak in the evening at 8:22 p.m.
How did the Pink Moon get its name?
The name Pink Moon comes from pink wildflowers, Phlox subulata or moss phlox, that bloom during the season, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
You may have noticed the moon will occasionally take on a dramatic shade of orange or red in the night sky. That's because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere.
When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, according to NASA, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface.
Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange.
No, the Pink Moon is a micromoon.
A micromoon occurs when a full moon aligns with the apogee of its orbit, the farthest point in the moon's orbit from Earth, NASA said.
The Flower Moon will peak May 12, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: April's Pink Moon. Date, timing and what to know about the micromoon
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