April’s ‘pink’ supermoon will be the biggest and brightest of 2020
Published 3:00 pm Thursday, April 2, 2020
- The supermoon of July 2014 rises over the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
A “pink” supermoon is coming Tuesday, and is expected to be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year.
The moon, which won’t actually be pink, will rise at 7:35 p.m. , according to NASA, and will be at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, appearing bigger and brighter than usual.
So what makes it a “pink” moon? According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, it has nothing to do with the color of the moon itself, but stems from flowers that are in bloom in April. The name comes from a wildflower called the creeping phlox, or moss phlox, which produces pink flowers in early spring.
The April full moon is also sometimes called the Egg Moon, Fish Moon and Sprouting Grass Moon, according to the almanac. Many moon names used today come from Native American and Colonial-era sources.
Astrologically speaking, the April 7 full moon will be in Libra. It’s a time to remain playful and curious, rather than be overwhelmed by emotional complexities, according to Astrology.com.
However you experience it, be sure to step outside and gaze skyward Tuesday to get a glimpse of the brightest full moon of the year.