The night sky was ablaze with moonlight on Saturday, April 12, 2025, as the first full moon of spring—commonly referred to as the pink moon—rose majestically during dusk. This celestial event, celebrated for its beauty, marked not only the arrival of spring but also featured the smallest full moon of the year. Contrary to its name, the moon did not appear pink; instead, it emerged in the eastern sky as a striking orange orb.
As the pink moon graced various locations across the globe, photography enthusiasts captured its stunning beauty. From the iconic views of San Francisco to the historic skyline of Istanbul, the serene landscapes of Kashmir, and the vibrant atmosphere of Sydney, the April full pink moon was a sight to behold. These captivating images showcase the moon's glow, further enhancing its allure.
The name "pink moon" derives not from its color but from the pink phlox flowers that bloom during spring in parts of North America. This full moon reached its full phase at precisely 8:23 p.m. EDT, aligning almost perfectly with its moonrise in various regions of North America. As it ascended in the eastern sky, the Earth's atmosphere played a significant role in altering its light, causing the moon's surface to glow in subtle orangey hues.
Like all full moons observed at moonrise, the pink moon appeared larger than it truly was due to the moon illusion. This phenomenon tricks our perception when the moon is near the horizon, making it seem inflated in size. This optical illusion was particularly pronounced during the appearance of the April pink moon, which is noteworthy as it was also the smallest full moon of the year.
The reason behind the pink moon's size is rooted in its orbit around the Earth, which is slightly elliptical. This means there are specific points in its orbit when the moon is closest to Earth (known as perigee) and when it is farthest away (referred to as apogee). A perigee full moon is commonly called a "supermoon," appearing slightly larger than average, while an apogee full moon—sometimes termed a "micro moon"—looks somewhat smaller than average. April's full pink moon falls into the latter category, as it was indeed a micro moon.
This year, April’s full moon was also designated as the Paschal Moon, a vital reference for calculating the date of Easter Sunday. Traditionally, Easter falls on the Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox, which occurred on March 20 this year. The moon reached its fullness on April 13 in Universal Time, but in North America, it was still April 12, leading to Easter being celebrated on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
As we gaze at the beauty of the pink moon, we can look forward to the next celestial event: the flower moon, scheduled to occur on Monday, May 12, 2025. Until then, wishing everyone clear skies and wide eyes to enjoy the wonders of the universe!
