Like every April, this week the pink Moon will shine in the sky, one of the moons with the best press of the entire year. These days, the media is filled with news crowned with photos in which we see a beautiful pink moon. The problem is that if we go out to look at the sky we will not be able to find it; since, basically, it does not exist.
The confusion. With exceptions, every month has only one full moon. Astronomically speaking, these have no name. However, Sometimes they do receive names from popular culture. In fact, there are many full moons that are named after Native American tradition. They gave names to the moons taking into account natural phenomena that took place in that month. In the case of the Pink Moon, it coincides with the flowering of pink phlox. The fields were dyed pink, hence the name. This year the Moon began to be seen on the night of March 31 and will remain in the sky until April 2. Afterwards, it will begin to decrease. Either way, don’t expect any color change.
nothing special. There are some moons named after colors that do have something special from an astronomical point of view. For example, blue moons They refer to the second full moon of the few months that exceptionally have two moons in this phase. It is something that normally happens every 2.4 years, although there are exceptions. For example, In 2018 there were two blue moons in one year just two months apart.
Moons that are colored. It is normal to see the Moon in its characteristic grayish-pearlish color. However, sometimes, depending on how the light is dispersed around it, we can see it with yellow or orange tones. This depends a lot on the time of year. For example, the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox In the northern hemisphere it can appear more orange because it rises at a narrower angle to the horizon. The amount of particles suspended in the air also influences. And, of course, if a lunar eclipse occurs, we can see the moon in a more reddish tone. The famous blood moon.
Other named moons. The Pink Moon itself has many more names, depending on the culture that names it. For example, the Celts knew it as the Moon of New Buds, also because of its relationship with the beginning of spring. On the other hand, in Anglo-Saxon culture it is known as the Egg Moon, because it happens at Easter time, when everything is decorated with the famous colored eggs. In short, there are many names for the same Moon, whose color may depend a little on the place from which you look at it, but always without leaving the usual tones.
Image | BiaAurelio (Wikimedia Commons)
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