April's Pink Moon: A Micromoon with Significance

April’s full moon, famously called the Pink Moon, is on the horizon, coinciding with the Easter celebration. In March, the “Blood Moon” graced the U.S. sky as the first total lunar eclipse witnessed in nearly three years. Now, April’s Pink Moon not only heralds the first full moon of the spring season but also qualifies as a “micromoon,” as outlined by the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Here’s the scoop on April’s full moon:

When to Spot the Pink Moon?

Look towards the Rochester sky as the moon makes its appearance at roughly 7:49 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, setting by 6:14 a.m. the following day. In White Plains, catch it rising at about 7:30 p.m. on April 12 and departing at 6:01 a.m. on April 13, all according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Understanding the Micromoon

While “supermoon” might be a familiar term, a micromoon is quite the opposite. This phenomenon happens when the moon is at its farthest distance from Earth, called apogee. April’s full moon will occur just 22 hours shy of this point, resulting in a slightly smaller and dimmer lunar display.

This month’s full moon also carries religious importance. Known as the Paschal Moon in Christianity, when it appears after the vernal equinox, it sets the stage for Easter celebrations. Since this year’s full moon follows the equinox of March 20, Easter is set for April 20, 2025, falling on the Sunday after the full moon.

Why the Name Pink Moon?

Despite its “rosy” name, April’s full moon won’t actually glow in pink hues. The moniker is attributed to the early blooming of the pink creeping phlox typical in parts of eastern North America. The majority of full moon names derive from Native American lore, although some have ties to Colonial and European folklore.

2025 Full Moon Names: - January: Wolf Moon
- February: Snow Moon
- March: Worm Moon
- April: Pink Moon
- May: Flower Moon
- June: Strawberry Moon
- July: Buck Moon
- August: Sturgeon Moon
- September: Corn Moon (previously Harvest Moon in 2024)
- October: Hunter Moon
- November: Beaver Moon
- December: Cold Moon

Next up is the Flower Moon, due on May 12.

Upcoming Celestial Events

This month is brimming with heavenly sights. The Lyrids meteor shower will peak between April 21-22. On April 25, a waning crescent moon will form a striking triangle with Venus and Saturn. Culminating the month, a close new supermoon arrives on April 27.