Skygazers in the UK are in for a treat this week, as the ‘Pink Moon‘ is set to light up the skies tomorrow.
This particular full moon is known as the Pink Moon as it’s the first full moon of spring in the northern hemisphere.
The name derives from a pink flower called phlox subulata that blooms in spring in North America.
So, sadly it doesn’t mean the moon is going to suddenly turn pink tomorrow.
Providing the weather is clear, everyone in the UK should get a good view of the full moon – all you have to do is stick your head out the window and look up.
If you want to get really technical, the full moon is expected to reach its peak brightness at about 5.34 am UK time on April 6, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
However, if you aren’t an early bird, not to worry! The Pink Moon will appear full for three days from Tuesday evening to Friday morning this week, according to Nasa.
Why is it called the Pink Moon?
Despite the name ‘Pink Moon’, our lunar neighbour won’t actually appear pink.
The moniker appears to have sprung from old Native American tribes, which had names for the moons based on what was going on around them at the time.
For example, the Pink Moon gets its name from the pink wildflowers which bloom in the US each year in early spring. Known as phlox subulata, the flower is commonly called creeping phlox or moss phlox and can also be known as ‘pink moss.’
April’s moon can also be referred to as the Egg Moon, because spring is egg-laying season.
How often does a full moon occur?
A full moon occurs every 29.5 days and happens when the moon is completely illuminated by the sun’s rays.
It occurs when the Earth is directly aligned between the sun and the moon.
2022 full moon calendar dates
Amazingly, we already know when 2022’s full moons will take place, and exactly when to look for them.
The next full moon after the April one will be called the Flower Moon, coinciding with a total lunar eclipse. It’ll take place on May 5 at 6.34 pm.
June sees the arrival of the Strawberry Moon which will be a supermoon, while the Buck Moon will be visible in the sky in July and the Sturgeon Moon will be seen in August.
You can see the full calendar here…
Full Moon dates for 2023, according to The Royal Observatory, with times shown in GMT
6 April (5.34 am) – Pink Moon
5 May (6.34 pm) – Flower Moon (total lunar eclipse)
4 June (4.41 am) – Strawberry Moon (supermoon)
3 July (12.38 pm) – Buck Moon
1 August (7.31 pm) – Sturgeon Moon
31 August (2.35 am) – Blue Moon
29 September (10.57 am) – Corn/Harvest Moon
28 October (9.24 pm) – Hunter’s Moon
27 November (9.16 am) – Beaver Moon
27 December (12.33 am) – Cold Moon
When is the best time to see the Pink Moon?
The best time to see the full moon this weekend is when it reaches its peak at 5.34 am in the early hours of Thursday, April 6.
That’s when the moon will be at its fullest – although it will appear brighter later at night once the last of the daylight has slipped away.
Even though the moon reaches its peak on April 6, it will still appear full on the nights on either side.
So you’ll still be able to get a good look tonight until Friday night.
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