A FULL “Pink Moon” is set to pierce through the sky this weekend, marking the arrival of spring.
While the Earth’s satellite won’t take on a rose hue, it may look more orange than usual.
This year’s April Full Moon is what’s known as a ‘micromoon’.[/caption]
Instead of its colour, the Pink Moon actually gets its name from the pink flowers that bloom around this time of year.
Its other names include Breaking Ice Moon, Budding Moon, Awakening Moon, Paschal Moon, and Egg Moon.
The Pink Moon will appear on Sunday, April 13, in the UK.
It will rise in the east-southeastern sky around 9pm BST.
It will then climb higher in the southeast sky at around 10.30pm BST.
This year’s April Full Moon is what’s known as a “micromoon“.
This is when the Moon is in its apogee phase – when Earth’s satellite is its furthest away from the planet.
The lunar disk, therefore, will appear 5.1% smaller in diameter than usual, according to Star Walk.
A “micromoon” is the opposite of a supermoon, and is actually less common.
Micromoons happen roughly two to three times a year, while supermoons occur about three or four times a year.
Like most April Moons, the Pink Moon will occur in the constellation Virgo, near its brightest star, Spica.
Spica is only slightly dimmer than Polaris, or the North Star, which is the brightest star in the sky.
While you can use binoculars or a telescope to get a close look at the Moon – and even see some lunar craters – equipment will not be necessary.
Later this month, the Lyrid meteor shower will start to be visible.
The annual meteor shower will pass Earth from April 16-25, and peak on April 22, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Stargazers should be able to catch up to 18 shooting stars per hour, with some dazzling light trails.
It is the oldest recorded meteor shower still visible today, having been first recorded in 687 BCE.
The Pink – or Paschal Full Moon – is important as it is the first Full Moon after the spring equinox, which was on March 20.
This Moon determines the date of Easter – which is why the religious festival is on a different date each year.
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Pink supermoon rising over Protection Island Puget Sound, Strati of Juan de Fuca[/caption]
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