Stargazing friends: The Pink Moon is all set to illuminate the night sky with its spring hue this Friday night

---

By Claire Merten

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+
• LinkedIn
• Email

We at SeeDundee have written a lot about astronomy, following the three spectacular supermoons of 2019 like a hawk throughout the year.

And now another incredible stargazing experience is happening over this bank holiday weekend, known as The Pink Moon.

So, the pink moon, which occurs every April and is named after the pink spring flower called the Wild Ground Phlox, is not actually pink in hue, but an orange/yellowish colour.

The Wild Ground Phlox is extremely pink, as you might have guessed.

View this post on Instagram

Full Pink Moon tonight . . . The birth of Spring. Although Spring “officially” started March 20th; according to this gorgeous Full Moon, we’re right on schedule with Spring The name Pink Moon comes from one of the first spring flowers; Wild Ground Phlox, as they cover the ground like a pink blanket. These brightly-colored flowers are native to North America, and they often bloom around the time of April's Full Moon. These names all refer to the birth of spring with grass sprouting, birds laying eggs, fish being more plentiful, hares breeding, and people planting seeds Happy Spring/Full Pink Moon!

A post shared by Mika | ?ATL (@throughthelensofmika) on Apr 29, 2018 at 11:06am PDT

UK stargazers should be able to take in the spectacle at around 8pm this Friday evening (April 19).

The moon, which will appear larger and brighter than usual, will almost be a supermoon.

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s perigee, or the point in its orbit at which its closest to Earth.

This makes the moon up to 14 % larger and 30% brighter than usual – a pretty phenomenal sight for trusty astronomers and total novices alike.

Get your telescopes, phones, and eyes ready as you are in for a treat. A "Pink Moon" will glow up in the sky tomorrow night. https://t.co/MGiFWAx2EJ pic.twitter.com/qV3Yl2LbMw

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) April 18, 2019

If you observe the pink moon light up over our wee city tomorrow evening, then send us your pictures!

Follow us

Get in touch with SeeDundee on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Claire Merten

More From This Author