Spring is finally here, and the first full moon of the season is just around the corner, here's what you need to know about the Pink Moon.

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The First Full Moon of Spring

I don't know about you, but I don't think I've ever been more ready for warm weather in my life! Did this past winter seem longer than normal to you? Just me? Either way, spring is officially here, and we're coming up on the first full moon of the season. So what is the first full moon of spring? It's the Pink Moon, but here's the thing, the moon isn't pink, so why is it called the Pink Moon?

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What is the Full Pink Moon?

Now a pink moon in the night sky would absolutely be a sight to see, but unfortunately, the moon will be regular moon color (how do you define the color of the moon?). This is fine with me because if the moon ever looks pink, we should probably consult with NASA because that's probably not good.

Photo by Dylan Sauerwein on Unsplash

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the Pink Moon gets its name because of its association with spring and flowers blooming.

The name “Pink Moon” has long been associated with April’s full Moon as flowers begin to bloom, particularly moss pink or creeping ground phlox, which is one of the earliest and most widespread spring flowers. Creeping ground phlox thrives in sandy or rocky soils, and is often used as a ground cover. This perennial bloom is most often pink, but also has shades of purple and white. It is popular with butterflies, another welcome sign of spring in April.

In certain parts of Asia, this particular full moon is referred to as the "Peony Moon" which I love!

Photo by uomo libero on Unsplash

When is the Full Pink Moon?

If you're wanting to catch the first full moon of spring, look up to the sky on Wednesday, April 5th. The moon will reach peak illumination at 12:37 AM eastern time. This means if you want to see peak illumination in the Tri-Staet you'll want to step outside around 11:30 PM on Tuesday, April 4th. If you want to learn more about the full Pink Moon, you can read an article all about it from the Farmer's Almanac, here.

Must See: Astrophotography Taken Over Southern Illinois Zinnia Field

See beautiful images of the night sky over a zinnia field located in Redelman Orchards located in Southern Illinois. The spectacular photos were captured by Illinois photographers Grant Twiss and John O'Connell.