Full moon tonight: Best time to see the pink ‘micromoon’—and why it might leave you restless

As the old folklore goes, if you are feeling extra tired and cranky this week, the upcoming full moon might be to blame. And while you definitely won’t turn into a werewolf, there is some data to suggest the old folklore is true, even if the scientific research on the topic is limited: A 2013 sleep study found that during a full moon, participants spent 30% less time in deep sleep and lost out on 20 minutes of slumber on average.

However, skywatchers are in for a treat this weekend, even if they may be missing a little sleep, as a full moon will rise on Saturday night. Here’s what to know about the full moon, and how best to see it.

What is the name of the full moon?

Typically there are 12 full moons a year, one for every month. Each of these has a nickname given to it by the Old Farmer’s Almanac, based on Native American culture and other traditional North American historical sources.

April’s full moon is known as the Pink Moon, but this does not refer to the color of the orb. It is based on the flowers that begin to bloom in spring.

There are other names for April’s full moon that celebrate the season. The Algonquin called it the Breaking Ice Moon, while the Lakota dubbed it the Moon When the Ducks Come Back. Even within the same tribe, there were different preferred monikers. The Dakota referred to it as both the Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable, and the Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs.

Anything else to know about the full Pink Moon?

Beyond its colorful name, the full Pink Moon will occur just before apogee—this fancy NASA vocab word means the moon is the farthest away from Earth during its elliptical orbit. Because of the distance, the full Pink Moon is considered a “micromoon,” as it is smaller and dimmer to the human eye compared to a normal full moon or a supermoon.

How does Easter play into the full pink micromoon?

Full moons are also a tool used by the Christian Church to determine when the Easter holiday will occur. Christmas is always December 25, but Easter is on the Sunday after the so-called Paschal Full Moon. So this year, the full Pink Moon and the Paschal Full Moon happen to be two names for the same celestial event, depending on your religious preferences. This is not always the case.

How can you best view April’s full moon?

To catch a glimpse of this cosmic wonder, head outside on April 12. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon will rise at 8:22 p.m. EDT.

For best viewing, find a location away from bright city lights. A pair of binoculars or a telescope will help you see more details of the moon.

What’s the next celestial event to look forward to?

If you need something to look forward to, the night sky has your back. On the evenings of April 21 and 22, the annual Lyrid meteor shower will reach its peak. More to come on this cosmic wonder.

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