Editorial photo #11171925 Human Interest

Pink Moon 2024

The ''Pink Moon'' or supermoon illuminates the night sky. However, the name does not imply that the moon will appear pink. The full moon of April is named after the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox or moss phlox--a plant native to the eastern United States and symbolic of one of the earliest widespread flowers of spring. According to NASA, the Maine Farmers' Almanac, an annual American periodical, commonly refers to the full moon in April as the ''Pink Moon'' due to its association with the pink wildflowers that bloom in early spring. This April moon is also known as the Fish Moon by coastal cultures, the Egg Moon, and the Sprouting Grass Moon. Additionally, it is called the Passover Moon or Pesach. It will occur on Tuesday evening around 7:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time in the eastern United States. The full moon appears larger than average, as it occurs three days past perigee--the point in its orbit when it is nearest to Earth. The ''Pink Moon'' is visible through gaps in the branches and leaves of the trees in a forest, and between concrete buildings. A spider, highlighted by the strong moonlight, is seen hanging from a date palm tree at Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on 23/04/2024. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)