A rare pink supermoon will appear later this month, marking a little more than a year after the last pink supermoon dazzled onlookers.
A Supermoon is a rare occurrence that occurs when the full moon falls on the same day as the moon's closest approach to the Earth, making it appear larger than ever. Read on to find out when the Pink Moon will appear this month.
WORTHING, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 07: A supermoon rises over Worthing pier on April 07, 2020, in Worthing, United Kingdom. A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest position to the Earth, known as the perigee, making the satellite appear bigger and brighter than usual. This month’s supermoon is also a Pink Moon, so-called by the Native Americans because of the pink flowers that appeared in the east of North America at this time of year.
Pink Supermoon 2021: What is it?
According to Space.com, a supermoon occurs when a full moon occurs simultaneously as the moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit. Supermoons make the natural satellite look brighter and larger in the night sky, according to the website. However, the difference is sometimes difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Although experts dubbed the forthcoming celestial occurrence as the "pink moon," Yahoo! Life predicts that our cosmic neighbor will not turn pink. According to the website, the name derives from the fact that the event coincides with the seasonal blooming of moss pink, a wildflower native to eastern North America.
Space.com mentioned that each full moon has a different name depending on the month it occurs. A full moon occurs every 27.5 days each month of the year, and each moon has its nickname.
For instance, experts called last month's full moon the "worm moon," while they'll call May's full moon the "flower moon." The Farmer's Almanac has more detail about full moon names and meanings.
Royal Museums Greenwich said other cultures call this phenomenon as the fish moon, the egg moon, and the sprouting grass moon.
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Why Do We See a Supermoon?
Bristol Post said the moon does not physically increase in size. That means the moon is nearest to Earth at times (a lunar perigee) and furthest away at other times (a lunar apogee).
A supermoon occurs when a full moon occurs at the same time as the lunar perigee. That's why we see a supermoon once in a while.
When to See it This Month?
The super pink moon will surface on Monday, April 26, and remain visible until Tuesday, April 27. At 11:31 p.m. EDT, the moon will reach perigee, the point where it is nearest to Earth.
According to The Weather Channel, the moon will appear larger on that night because perigee will carry the satellite 3,57,378 kilometers away from our world.
How to Watch It?
People who want a clear view of the forthcoming astronomical phenomenon should "find an open area and watch as the moon rises just above the horizon, at which stage it will appear its biggest and take on a golden hue!" according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Will There Be Other Supermoons This Year?
According to Mental Floss, this month's supermoon is the first of a sequence of three supermoons this year. On May 26 and June 24, the next ones will light up the night sky.
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