Pink Moon To Be Visible Over UK Tomorrow Night

Stargazers are set for an astronomical delight this bank holiday, with the Pink Moon due to appear in the sky tomorrow night.

Just what you've all wanted, right?

Now, before you get too excited - it's not actually going to be pink, but rather a very pale orange and then eventually, yellow.

So, why is it called the Pink Moon, I hear you ask? Well, as the phenomenon occurs every April, it has been named after the pink spring flower called the Wild Ground Phlox, which is actually extremely pink and blossoms in the United States at the same time of year.

However, if you still think it's a bit of a con, don't worry - there are plenty of other names which may be more amenable to you, such as Full Sprouting Grass Moon, Growing Moon, Egg Moon or the Full Fish Moon.

PA

The Old Farmer's Almanac's website says: "Native peoples once observed the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Time was not recorded by using the months of the Julian or Gregorian calendar.

"April's full Moon is called the Full Pink Moon, heralding the appearance of the 'moss pink' or wild ground phlox - one of the early spring flowers.

"Other names include the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon."

According to reports, people in the UK should be able to see the spectacle - which will be visible for just one night only - from around 8.05pm.

Stargazers in Europe and North Africa will also be able to view it before it turns yellow as it moves higher in the sky.

PA

So what's the craic?

The moon will appear to have an orange hue because when a full moon is viewed low in the sky it is being seen through the Earth's dense atmosphere, filtering out the bluer wavelengths of white moonlight.

This process, known as light refraction, allows more red components of moonlight to make their way to your eyes - causing the moon to have a red or orange glow.

The only time a moon does actually appear pink is during a total lunar eclipse -when it's often called a Blood Moon.

And with the next Blood Moon set to appear in July this year, we don't have long to wait for that either.

Topics: Science, World News, UK News, Interesting

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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