What is a ‘pink moon’?

Pink moon in Bengaluru on April 11, 2017   | 

The full moon in April is called the ‘pink moon’, but it is only pink in name

So why is it called that?

It is to represent ground phlox. Phlox are ground-cover flowering plants and usually bloom around springtime. These plants are found mostly in North America.

What else is it called?

The April moon is also known as the Sprouting Grass moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon, all Native American names for the phenomenon.

Does every month’s full moons have names?

Yes. January is the Wolf Moon, February is the Snow Moon, March is the Worm Moon, May is the Flower Moon, June is the Strawberry Moon, July is the Buck Moon, August is the Sturgeon Moon, September the Corn Moon, October the Hunter’s Moon, November the Beaver Moon, and December the Cold Moon.

Why do they have names for moons?

Early Native American tribes did not record time using either the Julian or the Gregorian calendars. Instead they used the moons to keep track of seasons.

Where will the pink moon be visible?

In most parts of the eastern North America, and Europe this will be visible. Also, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter can also be spotted by the naked eye.