If the clouds are accommodating, then tonight’s full “pink moon” will be a little bit bigger in the sky, as our planet’s only satellite is almost as close to us as its orbit allows. Show But there are a few misconceptions, says Australian astrophysicist Prof Jonti Horner, about the names some people give to full moons. Right about now in parts of North America, a native herb known as creeping phlox is coming into its pink bloom. Horner says in the United States, there’s a tendency towards using the names that Native Americans have for full moons. “Last month it was a wolf moon,” says Horner, of the University of Southern Queensland. The pink moon is named not because it will take on a particular colour, but because of the colour of the flowering phlox. Modern skywatchers term tonight’s phenomenon a “supermoon” – a term coined by an American astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979. Technically, we get a supermoon when a full moon occurs around the time our satellite reaches perigee – its closest point to the Earth. Horner says tonight’s moon “definitely won’t be pink” but if you’re somewhere where there is pollution in the air, then it could take on a more reddish tinge. Horner says a supermoon is only about 15% bigger and brighter than a usual full moon – not really enough to be noticeable to most humans. The moon always seems larger when it is closest to the horizon, but Horner says this is down to a phenomenon known as the “moon illusion”, rather than the satellite actually being any closer. “When it’s low to the horizon the moon looks bigger than it does when it’s overhead, but that’s more because we have a point of reference. It’s all about perception,” he says. To counteract this illusion, Horner says that if you can do it safely (and you’re flexible enough), you should bend over and view the moon through your legs, although it’s not agreed why this trick through the legs actually reduces the effect of the moon illusion.  The reason the moon can sometimes appear to glow orange as we view it closer to the horizon, is because the light has to travel through more of the Earth’s atmosphere than it does when the moon is overhead. The atmosphere scatters the light, filtering blues and then yellows and leaving visible oranges and reds. In Sydney, the air quality is currently low because of particles from hazard reduction burning in bushland on the city’s outskirts. Sydneysiders have been viewing a reddish moon through this haze in recent nights. “If you have more pollution, then the more enhanced the effect,” says Horner. “It’s the same reason why if you have bushfires the sun can go blood red. It’s the same reason why the sky is blue.” When the Earth is lined up between the sun and the moon, we get a full moon. But next month’s full moon – which will also be a supermoon – will see the satellite pass through the Earth’s shadow for a total lunar eclipse visible in east Asia and Australia as well as across the pacific and Americas. “That’s much more interesting than a super-whatever-moon,” says Monash University astrophysicist Prof Michael Brown “During a total lunar eclipse, when the moon is in the Earth’s shadow, the only light reaching the moon passes through the Earth’s atmosphere. That produces a red tinge, or a deeper red colour after big dirty volcanic eruptions.” And if you need a soundtrack to accompany tonight’s lunar gazing, there’s always English folk singer Nick Drake’s 1972 album Pink Moon.
Easter weekend will see the biggest and brightest full moon of 2022 so far as the 'pink supermoon' is set to light up our skies tonight. The full moon in April is also known as the "pink moon" as it is named after pink flowers, known as phlox, which bloom in the springtime, though it isn't actually pink in colour. The celestial event is expected to take place just before sunset on April 16 as the moon rises. It is also a supermoon because the full moon will occur when it is near its closest point to the Earth in its orbit. READ MORE: Landlady, 83, marks 30 years pulling pints at much loved Liverpool pub According to WiltshireLive, this is everything you need to know if you want to see the huge moon tonight. Why is it called a 'pink' supermoon? The phenomenon was named a 'pink supermoon' by northern Native Americans in reference to a species of early blooming wildflowers, rather than any observed colour change. In other cultures, it is called the fish moon, the egg moon and the sprouting grass moon. When will the full moon peak? The full moon will peak at 7.55pm on Saturday evening, weather permitting. If you do miss the awe-inspiring sight, the moon will appear full for a few more nights. You can also watch it via the Stonehenge Skyscape here. What is the weather here in Liverpool? According to the Met Office, it is set to stay dry through the evening and overnight with light winds. Some clear spells at first, but high cloud gradually moving in across the region during the night. Neil Armstrong, Chief Meteorologist, said: “Most people will see some spells of decent bank holiday weather this weekend, and it will feel warm in places, particularly for the first half of the Easter break. When is the next supermoon set to appear? The next supermoon will be called the Flower Moon on May 16, a total lunar eclipse. The Strawberry supermoon can be seen on June 14 and on July 13, the Buck Moon, also a supermoon, can be seen. Other important dates include:
Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Is the moon really pink tonight?If you look to the skies Saturday night, you'll see the "pink moon" -- but it won't be pink. Each month's full moon has a popular nickname, and the pink moon is on April 16, 2022. NASA says the moon will reach its peak fullness at 2:55 p.m. EDT Saturday afternoon -- before the sky gets dark enough for us to see it.
Is the moon pink tonight 2022?Prepare for the Full Pink Moon—and the Paschal Full Moon! April's full Moon rises on the night of Saturday, April 16. Traditionally called the Pink Moon, this full Moon is also the Paschal full Moon this year.
What date will the moon be pink?Pink Moon 2022, Supermoon date and time - Several parts of the world including India will witness the Pink Moon also known as the Supermoon celestial phenomenon tomorrow (April 17, 2022).
Why is today's moon pink?The pink moon is associated with the early spring arrival of creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), also known as moss phlox or mountain phlox. The moon is associated with the springtime blossoming of the Phlox subulata plant, a pink wildflower native to eastern North America, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
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Is the moon going to be pink tonight
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