If you're not busy tonight, take some time to step out and look above. Tonight, April 7, the much-awaited first full Moon of April 2020 will happen. This is not just a typical Super Moon; it's also called the 'Super Pink Moon.' The Moon will not turn to pink, however. Here's what will happen later and its name came to be:
Moon turns to pink?: Here's why it's called a 'Pink Moon'
If you're in the United States right now, make sure to remember to look at the skies later tonight at exactly 7:05 PM to 7:05 AM the next morning.
During this period, the Super Pink Moon is expected to hang clear above planet Earth for all to see. This Super Moon may be one of the highlights of the month as this will be the biggest and brightest Super Moon you can ever see this year. This phenomenon happens whenever the Moon is at its closest distance from the Earth.
According to Space, the Moon will be at an exact distance of 221,772 miles or 356,907 kilometers away from the planet. For us, humans, expect the Moon to be 15% brighter than the average-size Moon, and will be 30% larger when you compare it to a micro-moon.
"The Moon comes closest to the Earth for the entire year when it reaches perigee on Apr. 7, 2020, at 18:08 UTC. Of this year's 13 lunar perigees, this is one of only two lunar perigees that comes closer than 221,830 miles (357,000 km)," as explained by Earthsky.
If you are not capable of seeing this major Pink Moon spectacle later this evening, don't worry. The Moon will still be in its full phase for the next 8 hours and 35 minutes.
Why is it called a 'Pink Moon,' and what will happen to Earth?
The name of the Super Pink Moon has nothing to do with the color pink. It will not, unfortunately, produce a pink sky or a pink moon. However, as explained in ancient times, the Pink Moon is a common term for April's first full Moon.
As said mentioned in the Old's Farmer's Almanac, a Pink Moon represents the blooming season of a specific flower native to North American areas. The flower is commonly known as the creeping phlox or moss phlox -- called "moss pink."
Space also reported that the highest tides across the world might be reported right after the Pink Moon occurs. States like Wilmington, North Carolina, will have the highest tide of 5.6 feet, or 1.7 meters on Thursday, April 9. New York City will also show a surge in ocean tides with 6.1 feet or 1.9 meters on Wednesday, April 8.
If you have a hobby telescope or binoculars lying around, make sure to have them ready so you can see the majestic Moon in all its glory. If you don't, don't worry; you can still appreciate its beauty by gazing at the night sky.
