Skygazers can enjoy mesmerizing views of the upcoming April full Pink Moon, which will peak in Britain on Thursday, April 2 at 3:12 PM BST. Although it offers a beautiful night sky, it is unlikely to look pink; rather, the name refers to a pink flower in North America that blooms at this time of year. When the moon rises on the evening of April 1, it will likely look orange instead of pink.
This happens because sunlight must pass through a denser part of Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters blue and violet light, leaving behind only redder hues.
The Pink Moon is an old name used to keep track of seasons. Other global names include the Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, Fish Moon and other Breaking Ice Moon, all of which signal the arrival of spring. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after 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. Historical use of different calendars means that Easter dates can still vary worldwide, especially for Orthodox festivals.
How to catch a mesmerizing glimpse of April’s Pink Moon
A cold front is expected to bring cloud and rain to England and Wales on Wednesday night. The clearest skies for moon viewing are forecast for Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the air will be colder. This lunar event highlights how the Jewish calendar also depends on lunar cycles, with the new moon marking the beginning of a month and the full moon falling in the middle.
