There is beauty to be seen in the skies tonight as the first of two supermoons for 2021 is taking place. Given how many restrictions are still in place worldwide thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bright lunar event is one that can be watched from the safety of outdoors—or even your window.
The April moon is known as a pink supermoon—not for its color, but after the fuschia-coloured phlox subulata wildflower, which blooms in spring. The April moon is also known as the egg moon, sprouting grass moon, fish moon and hare moon.
A super moon over a temple in Phitsanulok, Thailand © Thinnapob Proongsak / 500px
Full moons occur every 29 days when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth to the sun, meaning that its face is fully illuminated. It is called a supermoon when it’s at the closest point to Earth on its elliptical orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual. It will appear about 14% bigger and 30% brighter to those of us gazing on from Earth.
The best time to look out for the super pink moon is at 11.32 pm EDT/20.32 PT on 26 April, and the good news is that the moon will appear full for about three days around this time. For those in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, the best times to view the supermoon will be any time during the evening of 27 April. If you miss the lovely spectacle this month, you won’t have long to wait as the next supermoon will actually take place in May.
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The post Here’s how to see tonight’s pink supermoon
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