A ‘pink moon’ to peak soon. What it means and when to catch a glimpse in State College
The full moon in early April will be a “hopeful sign of spring,” the Farmers’ Almanac says, and it’s associated with the new season’s influx of blooming flowers.
It’s called the “pink moon,” and State College area residents will have the chance to see it peak in the coming days.
“As usual, the wearing of suitably celebratory celestial attire is encouraged in honor of the full Moon,” NASA’s website reads. “Enjoy the spring flowers, consider acts of charity, be welcoming and leave an extra seat at the table, and avoid starting any wars.”
Here’s when to look for the pink moon in State College, plus more celestial events to check out soon.
When to see the pink moon in State College
The pink moon will peak at 12:35 a.m. Thursday, NASA reports, and it will appear full from Tuesday evening to Friday morning.
The National Weather Service State College office forecasts showers and possibly a thunderstorm Wednesday night, with a low around 58 degrees and an 80% chance of precipitation. Showers are also likely Thursday, the NWS forecasts.
This full moon determines the date of Easter, which is April 9 this year. Easter is celebrated the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring after the spring equinox.
The “pink moon” is also known by several other names, depending on who you ask. Here are some of its other names:
Paschal moon (meaning moon related to Easter)
Peony moon (sometimes used in China)
Moon of blackberry (Choctaw of southeastern U.S.)
Budding moon of plants and shrubs (Tlingit of pacific northwest)
The Central Pennsylvania Observers will host a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the South Hills Business School at 480 Waupelani Drive in State College. The gathering is open to the public, and the organization will also host a Skywatch from 8 to 10 p.m. at Bernel Road Park Friday.
The CPO will host a Skywatch for the public at Bernel Road Park, 4/7/23, 8 PM. Members will provide telescopes for viewing celestial objects such as planets and the Moon. Members of the Penn State Department of Anthropology will present "Stories Under the Sky."
— Central PA Observers (@CPO_club_org) March 17, 2023
More full moons in 2023
After April’s pink moon, stargazers will have nine more chances to catch a full moon this year. Four will be supermoons, and one will be a blue moon.
Here’s when to look, with information from Space.com:
May 5: Flower moon
June 3: Strawberry moon
July 3: Buck supermoon
Aug. 1: Sturgeon supermoon
Aug. 30: Blue supermoon (appears biggest and brightest of the year)
Sept. 29: Harvest supermoon
Oct. 28: Hunter’s moon
Nov. 27: Beaver moon
Dec. 26: Cold moon
These moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The Farmers’ Almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.
