Skygazers can enjoy stunning views of this upcoming April’s full pink moon, which is set to reach its peak over the UK at 3:12 BST on Thursday 2 April. Although it provides a beautiful night sky, it is unlikely to look rosy; Rather the name refers to a pink flower that blooms at this time of year in North America. The rising moon on the evening of April 1 will appear orange instead of pink.
This happens because sunlight has to pass through a dense part of the Earth’s atmosphere which scatters blue and violet light and leaves only red.
Pink Moon is an ancient name used to keep track of the seasons. Other global names include the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, the Fish Moon, and other Breaking Ice Moons, signaling the arrival of spring. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.
While the astronomical equinox fluctuates between March 20 and 21, the Christian Church uses a fixed date of March 21 for its calculations. The historical use of different calendars means that the dates of Easter can still vary globally, especially for Orthodox festivals.
How to catch a glimpse of April’s pink moon
Cold weather is expected to bring clouds and rain across England and Wales on Wednesday night. The clearest skies for seeing the moon are forecast to be over Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the air will be cool. This lunar phenomenon highlights how the Jewish calendar also depends on the lunar cycle, with the new moon marking the beginning of a month and the full moon falling at the midpoint.
