Despite its name, the April full moon will not appear pink tonight, but it still promises to be a beautiful sight. The lunar event can be seen from Wednesday night and will reach its peak at 12:34 a.m. ET on Thursday. Dr. Noah Petro, chief of NASA’s planetary geology, geophysics, and geochemistry lab, advises people to use binoculars or telescopes to observe the different colors and compositions of rock on the moon's surface. Optimal viewing of the pink moon can be achieved by finding a spot with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the sky. Onlookers can also see Venus and Mars, which will be out and fairly close to the moon in the night sky.
The full moon in April is commonly referred to as the pink moon due to the abundance of blooming flowers and trees brought on by the spring season. Its name is specifically linked to the pink wildflower, Phlox subulata, which grows in thick clusters and is native to eastern North America. This wildflower attracts butterflies, marking the arrival of spring, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. Native American tribes also named this moon after the flourishing foliage of the season, calling it the budding moon, flower moon, and moon of the big leaves, among others, as stated in a guide from Western Washington University. Additionally, this year’s April full moon is the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon of spring and is of religious significance to those who celebrate Easter, as the date of the religious observance falls on the Sunday following the appearance of the Paschal moon in the night sky.