April 2024 full moon called |pink moon| for spring flowers
The sky is set for another stunning sight as the full moon approaches after this month’s total solar eclipse. On Tuesday evening, April 23, at 7:49 PM EDT, the full moon will grace the sky, lasting from Monday morning to Thursday morning, as per NASA. Despite its name, the “pink” moon won’t actually appear pink to us, unless unusual events like wildfire smoke alter its appearance. Instead, it will typically look golden near the horizon and bright white overhead, as described by the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Why it is called Pink Moon
Well, Native Americans and others have been naming full moons for centuries, based on natural signs. Each full moon has its own special name. The “pink” moon of April is named after the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox, or mountain phlox. This herb, native to the eastern USA, blooms early in spring and thrives in sandy or rocky soils, often used as ground cover.
It is also known by other names
The pink moon isn’t the only name for this celestial event. It’s also called the sprouting grass moon, egg moon, and fish moon. The latter name comes from the time when shad fish swim upstream to spawn. These names have been passed down through generations, first appearing in the Maine Farmers’ Almanac in the 1930s and still widely used today.
Pink Moon may not look pink to our eyes
So, while the pink moon may not look pink to our eyes, its name reflects the natural rhythms of the Earth, honoring the arrival of spring and the blooming of early flowers like the moss pink. As it graces the sky, it serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between nature and human culture, bridging the past and present in a timeless cycle of observation and appreciation.
