The fourth full Moon of 2024—the “Pink Moon”—will next week grace the early evening skies as it rises in the east just as the sun sets in the west.
It’s called the “Pink Moon” after the pink flowers that bloom in spring, according to Timeanddate.com, but also the “Egg Moon” and the “Awakening Moon.”
It marks the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach), the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, and the first of the Hebrew year.
Here’s everything you need to know about it, including exactly when, where and how to see it at its best from where you are:
When Is The ‘Pink Moon?’
The “Pink Moon” will turn full at 23:48 UTC/7:48 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 23, but the best time to watch it rise will be dusk later that day.
Best Time To See The Full ‘Pink Moon’
A full moon looks best when it appears on the eastern horizon just after the sun has set in the west. It will look more prominent than usual and be a beautiful, muted orange at that time. The best time to view it will be moonrise where you are, on Tuesday, April 23.
From eastern North America this month, the moon will rise just minutes before it turns full, making it particularly beautiful because its many craters and seas of lava will be instantly impactful.
Tuesday, April 23
- In New York, sunset is at 7:43 p.m. EDT, and moonrise is at 7:44 p.m. EDT (the moment of full moon is at 7:50 p.m. EDT).
- In Los Angeles, sunset is at 7:30 p.m. PDT, and moonrise is at 7:37 p.m. PDT (the moment of full moon is at 4:50 p.m. PDT).
- In London, sunset is at 8:10 p.m. BST, and moonrise is at 7:59 p.m. BST.
How To See The Full ‘Pink Moon’
Get somewhere high up that faces east, or visit an east-facing coast, both of which will give you a clear view of the horizon—and the best views of the “Pink Moon,” clear skies allowing. Unaided eyes are perfect, though a pair of binoculars will give you a stunning close-up.
Why The ‘Pink Moon’ Will Look Orange
The “Pink Moon” will look its biggest and best as it appears on the eastern horizon during dusk. For about 15-20 minutes, it will appear orange. That’s because you’re looking at it through the densest part of Earth’s atmosphere. Long-wavelength red and orange light travels more easily through the atmosphere than short-wavelength blue light, which strikes more particles and gets scattered. The same physics (Raleigh scattering) explains why a sunset looks orange.
When Is The Next Full Moon?
The next full moon after the “Pink Moon” will be the full “Flower Moon” at 13:53 UTC/9:53 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 23, 2024—the fifth full moon of 2024 and the third of spring in the northern hemisphere.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.