First spring full moon, April's Pink Moon, dazzles in the night sky
Julia GomezApril kicked off with a breathtaking sight as the Pink Moon lit up the first night of the month.
The moon peaked, appearing full and bright in the sky. But, despite its name, the moon wasn't actually pink.
April's full moon is called the Pink Moon, not because of its color, but because of the pink flower, known as creeping phlox or moss phlox, that was in full bloom during the month's full moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. April's Pink Moon is also known as the Paschal Moon because it takes place after the spring equinox, making it the first full moon of spring.
It's known by multiple names, including the Frog Moon, the Breaking Ice Moon, and the Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs.
This full moon was extra special as it coincided with the historic launch of Artemis II into space.
The next full moon will occur on May 1 and is known as the Flower Moon. There will actually be two full moons in May, a phenomenon commonly known as a "blue moon."
Don't worry if you missed your chance to get a glimpse at the moon, it will still look full for a few more days.
But here are some photos that show off April's gorgeous full moon.
Take a look at April's full moon, the Pink Moon
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, space phenomena, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].