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The Pink Moon Rises On Good Friday
photo - Rob Harris
Every month of the year there is a full moon which is given a different name.
Regardless of its name April's full moon will not actually appear pink. The moon never truly changes its colour and whatever shift of hue is visible at night is caused by atmospheric effects
However, the moon can sometimes appear yellow, orange or even red depending on atmospheric conditions as it first rises above the horizon on Good Friday, 19 April.
Both tonight (18 April) and tomorrow (19 April), you’ll see a round full-looking Moon.
photo - Rob Harris
April's full moon is called the pink moon heralding the appearance of the 'moss pink' or wild ground phlox - one of the first spring wild flowers which turn the meadows pink. Spiritually the pink moon always signifies renewal and rebirth.
Other names for April’s full moon include the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon.
The pink moon will almost be a supermoon, which means it appears larger than average. The full moon occurs when the satellite is exactly on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun.
Moss phlox
Full Moon Names:
January - Wolf Moon
February - Snow Moon
March - Worm Moon
April - Pink Moon
May- Flower Moon
June - Strawberry Moon
July - Buck Moon
August - Sturgeon Moon
September - Harvest Moon
October - Hunter's Moon
November - Beaver Moon
December - Cold Moon
Blue Moon - Some years have an extra full moon which happens approximately every two or three years.
The names given to the full moons during the year are derived from the North American traditions.
Many of these ancient moon names have been given based on the behaviour of the plants, animals, or weather during that month.
The next full moon will rise on 18 May 2019.