What's the origin behind April's full PINK moon?
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
The Pink Moon hit peak illumination in the wee morning hours today (April 27), making it a tough sell for people snuggled up in bed. The fourth Full Moon of the year is traditionally known as the Pink Moon or Egg Moon, even though it does not actually change colour. But today’s Pink Moon was an occasion worth getting up for because it also happened to be a Supermoon – a Full Moon that is bigger and brighter because it is closer to Earth than usual.
The spectacle peaked at about 4.31am BST or when the Moon and Sun were perfectly lined up.
And though astronomically speaking the peak only lasted a brief moment, the Moon looked plenty full when it appeared on Monday evening.
After the peak, the Full Moon hung around for about an hour-and-a-half, giving stargazers across the country a chance to pull out their cameras and snap away.
One Twitter user shared an image of the lunar disc behind a blanket of wispy clouds, saying: “Tonight’s Pink Supermoon all the way from North Wales, UK.”
Another person said: “The Pink Moon was looking glorious in London last night.”
Others weren’t as lucky and many took to social media to complain about less than favourable weather.
Dense clouds appear to have plagued many people, with reports from Manchester and Dundee of cloudy skies.
One person tweeted: “Pink Moon today and the UK sky is cloudy… this is definitely a hate crime.”
Another person said: “Pink Moon tonight but who would’ve guessed that it’d be cloudy in the UK.”
However, if you missed the Moon late last night or early today, you will still be able to get a good view later tonight.
Pink moon: April’s full moon illuminates the sky
What direction is the Moon tonight over the UK?
The Full Moon peaked in brightness at 4.31am BST on Tuesday, after which it set in the west-southwest by about 6.04am BST (London time).
But the Moon will return tonight by about 8.59pm BST (London time) and will still look full to the naked eye.
Full Moons typically appear full for about three nights centred on the peak.
Astronomer Deborah Byrd of EarthSky.org explained: “The Moon appears full to the eye for two to three nights.
“However, astronomers regard the Moon as full at a precisely defined instant, when the Moon is exactly 180 degrees opposite the sun in ecliptic longitude.”
If you are in London, keep your eyes peeled on the east-southeast horizon tonight.
The Moon will rise by 8.59pm BST and set tomorrow by 6.28am BST.
Viewers in Manchester should look in the same direction but the Moon will rise at 9.15pm BST.
Further up north, in Glasgow, and the Moon will rise by 9.32pm BST in the east-southeast.
You can find out the specific moonrise time for your location by visiting TimeandDate.com.
Simply type your town or city into the search bar and head to the Moonrise & Moonset section.
Then, scroll down until you see the timings for April 27.
After tonight’s Full Moon, another Supermoon will appear on May 26, 2021.
Source: Read Full Article
