The April full moon will rise early Thursday, and while it has several names, many know it as the Pink Moon.
The full moon gets its colorful name because it coincides with the appearance of moss pink, one of the earliest spring flowers.
“April’s full moon often corresponded with the early springtime blooms of a certain pink wildflower native to eastern North America: Phlox subulata — commonly called creeping phlox or moss phlox — which also went by the name ‘moss pink,’” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Other names for the April full moon are the Egg Moon, the Fish Moon and the Sprouting Grass Moon, according to NASA.
April’s full moon is also known as the Paschal Moon, which plays a part in the date on which Christians celebrate Easter.
Easter falls on the first Sunday following the Paschal Moon, meaning this Sunday. The name Paschal is derived from the word Pascha, which means Passover in Greek and Latin.
The full moon will reach peak illumination at 12:35 a.m. EDT Thursday. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it won’t be visible above the horizon until after sunset.
