April's full pink moon will rise in the night sky this week

April's full pink moon will peak at 10:11 p.m. ET Wednesday and will appear in its usual gray color, while the name honors the spring bloom of moss pink (Phlox subulata).

April's full pink moon will peak at 10:11 p.m. ET Wednesday and will appear in its usual gray color. The name "pink moon" refers to the early spring bloom of Phlox subulata, commonly called moss pink, which often flowers around this full moon. NASA scientist Noah Petro noted the moon may still appear full on the nights before and after the peak and said clearer, unobstructed locations can improve viewing. The same period also marks the start of the early April launch window for Artemis II. What we know: - Peak timing: The full phase is expected to peak at 10:11 p.m. ET Wednesday; full-moon phase can be considered to extend about 12 hours before and after the peak. - Appearance and name: Despite the "pink" name, the moon will look its usual silvery-gray; the name honors the spring flowering of Phlox subulata (moss pink). - Viewing notes from NASA: Noah Petro, chief of NASA's planetary geology, geophysics and geochemistry laboratory, said observers may still see a full moon on Tuesday and Thursday and mentioned that unobstructed, darker locations can yield clearer views. - Indigenous names: Across Indigenous communities the April full moon has various names, including kawohni (Cherokee), kwiyamuyaw (Hopi) and tabehatawi (Assiniboine). - Artemis II timing: NASA's early April launch period for Artemis II runs April 1–6 with a two-hour window each day; on the Wednesday noted in the article the window opens about 1.28 hours before sunset and on the following day about 0.32 hours before sunset, with later openings on subsequent dates. Summary: The April full pink moon is a seasonal astronomical event that will peak Wednesday evening and is named for a common spring wildflower rather than the moon's color. It coincides with the opening of Artemis II's early April launch window, and observers can look ahead to other events this spring such as the Lyrids meteor shower (April 21–22) and the Eta Aquariids (May 5–6).