‘Pink supermoon’ to light up UK skies this week – here’s the best time to see it (with a capture) | Science and Technology News

A bigger, brighter “pink supermoon” will be seen in the night sky this week, but there’s a catch – the moon won’t actually be pink.

The April full moon is called “pink” because of the springtime when the phlox flower blooms in vibrant shades of that same color.

And this year it’s also a super moon, when it’s at its closest point to our orbiting planet – helping our planet to appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter.

Anna Ross, Royal Observatory Greenwich Astronomer, said: “The average distance from the moon to Earth is 384,400 km, but the moon will reach its closest point this lunar month on April 27 (this Tuesday) at 4:24 p.m., when it will be 357,379 km.

“The exact time of the full moon closest to this point – hence the super moon – is also April 27, but at 4:31 am.

“This means the best times to see this super moon will be anytime during the night of April 27 – when the moon rises in the east just before sunset and sets in the west around sunrise. . “

Ms Ross added: “A super moon is the result of a full moon occurring when the moon is near its closest point to Earth in its orbit.

“It can happen because the moon revolves around the Earth on an elliptical path, rather than a circular one.

“Since this means that the moon is a little closer to us, it appears slightly larger in the sky.”

You won’t have to wait long if you miss this one – the next super moon will be visible in May.