April 2024 Pink Moon Captivates Skywatchers Worldwide

The April 2024 full moon, known as the Pink Moon, put on a spectacular show for skywatchers around the world on the night of April 23. The moon rose in the spring night sky, providing a gorgeous target for photographers despite some cloud cover in certain regions.

Stunning images of the Pink Moon were captured by photographers in various locations, including Dania Beach, Florida; Somerset, England; New York City; West Bengal, India; Singapore; L'Aquila, Italy; Madrid, Spain; and Lecce, Italy. The moon was visible worldwide, though it did overshadow the Lyrid meteor shower that was also occurring at the same time.

Despite its name, the Pink Moon does not actually appear pink in color. The moniker comes from the ground phlox, a pink flower that blooms in April and is one of the earliest spring blooms in the eastern United States. Native American tribes often kept track of time by observing the seasons and lunar months, with some using 12 or 13 moons per year. Colonial Americans adopted many of these Native American names, including the Pink Moon.

The Pink Moon is also known by other names like the Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and Fish Moon. It holds significance in various cultural and religious traditions. Astrologically, the Pink Moon is positioned in Scorpio this year, signaling a period of rebirth and self-discovery.

While the moon may sometimes appear a different color when low on the horizon due to atmospheric conditions, it does not actually turn pink throughout the night. The orange hue seen for a brief period of 15-20 minutes is caused by the thicker layer of Earth's atmosphere the viewer is seeing it through, a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering which also causes the orange color of sunsets.

Why this matters: The Pink Moon serves as a reminder of the changing seasons and the beauty of celestial events that can be enjoyed by people all over the world. Its cultural and astrological significance highlights the enduring influence of the moon on human traditions and beliefs.

The Pink Moon was the first full moon since the total solar eclipse that swept across North America on April 8. Skywatchers can look forward to the next lunar eclipse, a partial one, on September 17, 2024, which will be best seen in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. The next full moon, known as the Flower Moon, will grace the skies on May 23, 2024.

Key Takeaways

• The April 2024 full "Pink Moon" put on a spectacular show worldwide.
• The Pink Moon does not actually appear pink, but gets its name from spring flowers.
• The Pink Moon holds cultural and astrological significance, signaling rebirth and self-discovery.
• The Pink Moon was the first full moon since the April 8 solar eclipse.
• The next lunar event will be a partial eclipse on September 17, 2024.