Tonight, the night sky welcomes the full moon, but not just any full moon. But this lunar spectacle holds a special title: the "Pink" Moon. Don't be fooled by the name, though, as the moon won't actually appear pink to our naked eye.
So, what's the story behind this intriguing name, and when is the Pink Moon?
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 23rd at 7:49 PM EDT, as that's when the moon officially reaches its full phase. The good news for stargazers is that the moon will appear full for three days, from Monday to Thursday morning, offering plenty of time to catch a glimpse.
What is a Pink Moon?
For centuries, cultures worldwide have looked to the heavens for guidance and named the full moons based on natural phenomena.
The April full moon, the "Pink" Moon, originates from one of the earliest and most widespread spring flowers – the moss pink, also known as creeping phlox.
This delicate wildflower is native to the eastern U.S. and covers the ground with a vibrant pink color, signifying the arrival of spring.
The tradition of assigning names to full moons can be traced back to Native American tribes. While specific names may vary across cultures, the Maine Farmer's Almanac played a pivotal role in making these names popular in the 1930s.
The "Pink" Moon isn't the only name associated with this full moon. Other equally descriptive titles include the "sprouting grass moon," reflecting the burgeoning life of spring.
Some coastal tribes have named it the "fish moon," as this period historically coincided with the upstream migration of shad for spawning. The full moon in April also carries the name "egg moon," potentially linked to the timeliness for certain bird species to lay eggs.
