April’s full moon is a micromoon, which occurs when the moon nears its farthest point from Earth. Similarly, the February 2023 full moon, seen in Somerset, England, appeared smaller than usual.
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Observant lunar enthusiasts may notice that April’s full moon looks smaller than usual this month. Despite being dubbed the “pink moon,” it will actually have a white-golden hue. This micromoon will be visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres and is expected to rise on Saturday evening, reaching its peak at 8:22 p.m. ET.
A micromoon occurs when the moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth, known as apogee, along its elliptical orbit. This month’s micromoon will be the smallest of the three micromoons in 2025, with the next one occurring in May. For the best viewing experience of the micromoon, NASA recommends using binoculars or a telescope in a location with minimal light pollution.
Contrasting the micromoon, a supermoon appears when the full moon is near or during perigee, the closest point in its orbit around Earth. A supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a micromoon. While these differences may be subtle to the naked eye, they can be observed through photographs.
The term “pink moon” does not refer to the moon’s color but rather to the blooming flowers at the start of spring. The moon’s illuminated appearance comes from the sun’s reflected light, resulting in its typical white or golden hue. Various Native American tribes have given this moon different names based on the arrival of spring foliage, and it also holds religious significance in Christianity, setting the date of Easter based on the Paschal moon.
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During the Pink Moon event, there are eight more full moons to anticipate this year, featuring supermoons in October, November, and December. Below is the list of remaining full moons in 2025, as per the Farmers’ Almanac:
– May 12: Flower moon
– June 11: Strawberry moon
– July 10: Buck moon
– August 9: Sturgeon moon
– September 7: Corn moon
– October 6: Harvest moon
– November 5: Beaver moon
– December 4: Cold moon
Meteor showers are a regular occurrence as Earth passes through comet debris trails. Here are the peak dates for upcoming meteor showers in 2025, according to the American Meteor Society and EarthSky:
– Lyrids: April 21–22
– Eta Aquariids: May 5–6
– Southern Delta Aquariids: July 29–30
– Alpha Capricornids: July 29–30
– Perseids: August 12–13
– Draconids: October 8–9
– Orionids: October 22–23
– Southern Taurids: November 3–4
– Northern Taurids: November 8–9
– Leonids: November 16–17
– Geminids: December 12–13
– Ursids: December 21–22
In 2025, two eclipse events will be visible during the fall season. A total lunar eclipse will be observed from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, parts of eastern South America, Alaska, and Antarctica on September 7 and 8. This eclipse occurs when Earth is between the sun and moon, casting the moon into our planet’s shadow, resulting in a reddish hue known as the “blood moon.” A partial solar eclipse is set for September 21, visible from remote areas of Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific Ocean, where the moon creates a crescent shape as if “taking a bite” out of the sun.
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