Soon, observers will be able to witness the year’s first full moon of the spring season ascend into the night sky.
This April, the full pink moon is set to reach its brightest point at 10:11 p.m. ET on Wednesday, as reported by Time and Date. Despite its name, this luminous celestial body will retain its characteristic bright gray color.
Its vibrant name for this lunar occurrence actually honors the early spring flowering of Phlox subulata. This particular wildflower, indigenous to eastern North America, is frequently referred to as “moss pink” and typically blossoms around the time of April’s full moon, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Noah Petro, who heads NASA’s planetary geology, geophysics, and geochemistry laboratory at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, noted that the moon could still seem full on both Tuesday and Thursday. Full moons are observable globally, from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, given that they are considered to be in their full phase for up to 12 hours preceding and following their peak, states EarthSky.
To get the optimal view, provided local weather permits, Petro recommends seeking out clear skies and an open location free from trees or structures. He further advised that a darker setting will enhance the enjoyment of this celestial spectacle.
Among various Indigenous cultures, April’s full moon is known by diverse names such as “kawohni,” which translates to flower moon for the Cherokee; “kwiyamuyaw,” meaning moon of windbreak for the Hopi; and “tabehatawi,” signifying frog moon for the Assiniboine.
The Full Pink Moon Coincides with the Commencement of April’s Artemis II Launch Period
This April’s full pink moon also signifies the initial possible launch day in April for Artemis II, which will be the first crewed mission to orbit the moon in over five decades. A quartet of astronauts intends to venture further into deep space than any humans before, circumnavigating the moon and proceeding beyond its far side.
This initial April launch period extends from April 1 to 6, offering a daily two-hour window, as per NASA. On Wednesday, the launch opportunity becomes available 1.28 hours before sunset; on Thursday, it commences 0.32 hours before sunset; and for the subsequent days, the window opens increasingly later after sunset.
“As you gaze at this full moon, the crew could potentially be en route or may have just embarked on their journey,” stated Petro, who is also in charge of the planetary science team for an Artemis mission in early 2028 aimed at bringing humans back to the lunar surface. Petro concluded, “This represents the final full moon of the pre-Artemis II period, and its appearance will be significant not just for the four crew members, but for everyone who follows their expedition.”
Forthcoming Meteor Showers and Lunar Phases
Between the full moons and meteor showers, skywatchers have a diverse array of celestial occurrences to look forward to during April and May.
The Lyrids, among the most ancient recorded meteor showers, are expected to reach their maximum activity between April 21 and April 22. During this peak, stargazers can observe between 10 to 20 meteors per hour, with optimal viewing conditions in the Northern Hemisphere, NASA confirms.
This yearly shower, formed from debris left by Comet Thatcher, is ideally observed away from urban illumination, following moonset and prior to dawn. Given clear skies and reduced lunar interference, enthusiasts should anticipate an impressive display.
Following this, the Eta Aquariids are set to peak on May 5-6; however, due to moonlight interference, observers might see fewer than 10 meteors per hour, as reported by the American Meteor Society. This yearly shower, which originates from Comet Halley, is notable for its fast-moving meteors, which enter Earth’s atmosphere at roughly 40 miles (around 65 kilometers) per second, creating a luminous “train,” states NASA.
May will additionally feature two full moons, occurring on May 1 and May 31. The term “blue moon” commonly refers to the second full moon appearing within a single calendar month, an occurrence that happens approximately every 30 months, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
NASA’s Artemis initiative is poised to launch humans into deep space, a feat not accomplished in over fifty years. Subscribe to the Countdown newsletter to receive updates from CNN Science regarding these extraordinary missions as they progress.