The April Full Moon is known as the Pink Moon, Grass Moon, Egg Moon or the Paschal Moon. The Pink Moon will peak in the UK just one month after the Full Worm Moon on March 9. But the good news does not end there because astronomers expect the Moon to be bigger and brighter than usual – a Supermoon.
When is the April Pink Moon?
Here in the UK, the Pink Moon is expected to peak early on the morning of Wednesday, April 8.
The Full Moon will peak when the lunar orb positions itself directly across from the Sun.
The peak is expected to occur at about 4.35am BST (3.35am EST).
Should you miss the peak, do not worry because the Moon will appear full for about three days centred on the peak.
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What is the meaning behind the Pink Moon’s name?
Despite its unusual name, the Pink Moon will not turn pink next week.
In the same fashion, the June Strawberry Moon does not turn bright red and the Sturgeon Moon in August does not resemble a fish.
Instead, the name originates in Native American timekeeping traditions.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, tribes along the east coast of America named the different phases of the Moon after seasonal changes in the landscape.
The Pink Moon is believed to be named after a type of pink flower that blooms at the start of spring.
April’s Full Moon is known as the Full Pink Moon
Amy Nieskens, The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Amy Nieskens of The Old Farmer’s Almanac said: “April’s Full Moon is known as the Full Pink Moon because it heralded the appearance of wild ground phlox or moss pink, one of the first spring flowers.
“It is also known by many other names to herald the coming of spring, including the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.”
The Royal Observatory Greenwich in London also said: “Over time, different cultures have given names to Full Moons across the lunar calendar.
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“Many of the Moon’s nicknames have come to us from Native American culture because for their way of life, the cycles of the lunar phases were just as important a method of timekeeping as the longer solar cycle of the year – from which the modern Gregorian calendar is derived.
“The number of Moon names differs slightly from tribe to tribe, but many assign either 12 or 13 Full Moons to the year.”
Many of these names were adopted by Colonial Americans and have been popularised since.
Other examples of unusual lunar names include the January Wolf Moon, the July Buck Moon and the October Hunter’s Moon.
When are all of the Full Moons this year?
Wolf Moon – January 10
Snow Moon – February 9
Worm Moon – March 9
Pink Moon – April 8
Flower Moon – May 7
Strawberry Moon – June 6
Buck Moon – July 5
Sturgeon Moon – August 3
Full Corn Moon – September 2
Hunter’s Moon – October 1
Beaver Moon – November 30
Cold Moon – December 30
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