Mark Your Calendars: A Rare ’Pink’ Supermoon Will Light Up the April Night Sky

The galaxy is giving everyone something extra to look forward to this month. A “pink” supermoon is expected to show itself to the world in April, which is predicted to be the brightest supermoon of the year. 

On the night of April 7, 2020, the rare supermoon sighting is expected to happen. A supermoon is when the moon reaches the closet point to Earth in its orbit on the same day that it’s a full moon. Due to these two factors, the “pink” moon will appear slightly bigger and brighter than usual. 

Oh, why is “pink” in quotations, you ask?. Well, while it can easily be assumed that pink means the moon will project a rose-like hue, the name actually refers to the pink wildflowers called “creeping phlox” that blooms in the early spring. The Farmer’s Almanac states that April’s full moon corresponds with this seasonal flower’s blooming period, and that’s how it got its pink moniker.

Instead, the moon will project a golden-orange glow when its at its lowest peak of the evening, and get brighter as it rises into the sky as the night proceeds—eventually going back to its regularly programmed color. But don’t let the color clarification deter you—it’s going to be slightly larger and brighter to us watching from Earth. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss, regardless of its color.

So be sure to mark your calendars for next Tuesday, and keep in mind that its peak will be at 10:35 p.m. EDT. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait at least seven months to catch the next brightest supermoon.