Stargazers Prepare for Rare Weekend Micromoon Event

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — This weekend, stargazers can witness April’s full moon, also known as the Pink Moon, which will rise on Saturday, April 12, at 7:49 p.m. local time. This unique lunar event is significant as the moon will reach its furthest point from Earth this year, creating what is termed a micromoon.

The Pink Moon peaks at 8:22 p.m. EDT (0022 GMT April 13) but will appear smaller and dimmer in the night sky due to its distance of approximately 252,277 miles (406,000 kilometers) from Earth. According to the Virtual Telescope Project, this will result in a moon that appears about 6% smaller than an average full moon.

“As a consequence, our satellite will appear in the sky about 6% smaller than an average full moon,” said Gianluca Masi, the founder of the Virtual Telescope Project. “In addition, this will be the farthest and faintest full moon of the year.” The project will offer a free online livestream for viewers, starting at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Despite its name, the Pink Moon will not exhibit a pink hue; its title originates from the blooming of early spring wildflowers, specifically the pink moss phlox, which is commonly found in eastern North America. April’s full moon also serves a significant cultural role, as it often determines the date of Easter in Christianity. According to Gerard van Belle, Director of Science at Lowell Observatory, “Easter has this bizarre formula of the first full moon after March 21st, so sometimes it’s the April full moon.”

The moon will appear full for about three days surrounding April 13, giving enthusiasts multiple opportunities to gaze at its beauty. In White Plains, the moon is set to rise around 7:30 p.m. on the same date. It will set on Sunday, April 13, at 6:01 a.m. local time.

Historical records indicate that the last time a micromoon appeared this small was on Halloween night in 2020. Retired NASA scientist Fred Espenak noted the significance of this lunar event, stating, “This is the smallest full moon of 2025, occurring when the moon is farthest from Earth.”

Along with the Pink Moon, several other celestial events are anticipated for April, including the Lyrids meteor shower peaking on April 21-22 and a stellar alignment involving a waning crescent moon, Venus, and Saturn on April 25.

With the arrival of spring, the Pink Moon marks an excellent opportunity for stargazers to engage with nature and the cosmos, despite the micromoon being slightly less striking than other full moons throughout the year. “It’s going to be just a little bit smaller, about 10% smaller, and about a third dimmer,” van Belle described of the event.