Pink Moon 2017: What Time, How to See Full Moon
The pink moon will glow in the sky on the night of April 11. It is going to be the fourth full moon this 2017 and the first full moon of spring in the northern hemisphere. People who expect to see a literally pink moon heading towards the sky may be disappointed, as the pink moon is not actually pink.
In the lunar calendar, the pink moon is any full moon that appears in April. It is called "pink moon" because of the pink flowers that blossom in April. Just like the wild ground phlox in North America, the pink moon is said to symbolize new beginnings. It is just like any ordinary full moon and "pink moon" is just its nickname.
The pink moon is visible in the clear sky and people do not need binoculars or telescopes to view it. As long as the sky is clear enough, it is observable. In New York, people will see it rising in the eastern sky on 8:01 p.m. EDT on April 11. Those in Atlantic City and Newark will see it at 8:02 p.m. EDT, while those in Philadelphia will see it at 8:05 p.m. EDT. The pink moon will be most visible during its full phase at 2 a.m. EDT on April 11. On the other hand, less eager skywatchers may be able to catch it anywhere from April 10 to 12.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Aside from "pink moon," the full moon has other nicknames. In some cultures, it is called the egg moon. Other countries also call it the fish moon or the sprouting grass moon. The American Indian tribes particularly call it the sprouting grass moon because they claim that shads swim upstream to release eggs around the time of the moon's appearance.
In most places around the world, the pink moon marks the beginning of religious festivals such as the birth of Hanuman in India and the Jewish tradition of Passover. Christians also take the first Sunday following the pink moon as the beginning of Easter celebrations.
