Super Pink Moon Shines Biggest and Brightest This Year, Stunning Stargazers

For those who may have missed the spectacular super pink moon last April 7, here is a photo of the moon from Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as documented by Reuters Connect.

Moon gazers were thrilled to see the most prominent "super pink moon" of the year. 

Super Pink Moon 2020

Earthsky calls it the largest supermoon of 2020, as it coincided with the lunar perigee or the point where the moon is closest to Earth in its monthly orbit, giving it a bigger and brighter appearance. The moon became its fullest at 10:35 p.m. ET Tuesday, at about 221, 851 miles away from Earth, compared to its average distance of 238,855 miles. The moon was at its absolute closest to Earth at 2:08 p.m. EDT (1808 GMT).

Super Pink Moon appeared 7 percent larger, and 15 percent brighter than the average full moon, giving moon gazers a beautiful sight to behold. When it is close to the horizon, the moon appears larger during moonrise and moonset due to an optical illusion. The moon itself does not look pink, but it seemed more golden as it rose above the horizon. According to NASA, such happens because of an effect caused by our atmosphere, just like how the sun can look redder as it rises and sets.

However, in case you missed it, and you are still yearning to see the moonlight, the moon is displaying a waning gibbous phase tonight (April 9), with moonrise in the east two hours after sunset. By the morning of April 10, the moon will be setting in the west two hours after sunrise. For several mornings after April 10, you will find the moon in the west at dawn. 

The full pink moon is a recurring phenomenon and was also observed during the previous years all over the world. 

Claim to Fame of Super Pink Moon

While the appearance is far from pink, and it does not turn pink, but it earned its moniker to a wildflower native to North America, the Phlox subulata commonly called the "moss phlox" or the "moss pink" that blooms in springtime in striking pink colors. 

"They are one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring; therefore, the first full moon of April got the name," Jacqueline Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History. The Super Pink Moon is also known as the "sprouting grass moon" or "egg moon", signaling the arrival of the spring season.

This super pink moon is also known as the "Paschal Moon" and is used by Roman Catholics to set a date for Easter. The first Sunday after the Paschal Moon is Easter; thus, we are celebrating Easter on April 12 this year.

Pink Moon is always associated with rebirth and renewal as spring begins to take shape in April. According to eminent spiritualist Cherokee Billie, Pink Moon "brings the stability and security to crystallize recent changes and make them permanent improvements".

Ancient beliefs also point to Pink Moon as the perfect time to kill weeds, thin and prune crops, mow the lawn, cut down timber, and plant crops that are below ground.