TORONTO -- Be sure to take a look at the night sky later this month because the next full moon on April 26 will be a "super pink moon," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
It's the first of two supermoons this year. The moon this month is expected to reach its peak illumination at around 11:33 p.m. EDT.
Despite the name, the moon won't actually appear pink. The Old Farmer's Almanac says that the name refers to the fact that April's full moon coincides with the blooming of the bright pink creeping phlox flowers. The moon will actually appear golden and fade to a bright white.
Supermoons tend to be around 15 per cent brighter and seven per cent bigger than an average full moon.
NASA says supermoons occur because the moon's orbit around the earth in an ellipse or oval shape rather than a perfect circle.
At its furthest point from the earth, the moon is 405,500 kilometres away. A supermoon occurs when the moon gets to its closest point from the earth, which is 363,300 kilometres.
Another supermoon is expected on May 26, which the Old Farmer's Almanac calls the "flower moon".
'Super pink moon' expected later this month | CTV News
It's the first of two supermoons this year. The moon this month is expected to reach its peak illumination at around 11:33 p.m. EDT.
Despite the name, the moon won't actually appear pink. The Old Farmer's Almanac says that the name refers to the fact that April's full moon coincides with the blooming of the bright pink creeping phlox flowers. The moon will actually appear golden and fade to a bright white.
Supermoons tend to be around 15 per cent brighter and seven per cent bigger than an average full moon.
NASA says supermoons occur because the moon's orbit around the earth in an ellipse or oval shape rather than a perfect circle.
At its furthest point from the earth, the moon is 405,500 kilometres away. A supermoon occurs when the moon gets to its closest point from the earth, which is 363,300 kilometres.
Another supermoon is expected on May 26, which the Old Farmer's Almanac calls the "flower moon".
'Super pink moon' expected later this month | CTV News
