April’s full ‘pink’ moon rises Tuesday night. What you need to know.

April’s full ‘pink’ moon rises Tuesday night. What you need to know.

April’s full moon, commonly known as the “pink” moon, is set to rise in Tuesday evening’s sky and remain nearly fully illuminated Wednesday night, as well.

The “pink moon” isn’t actually pink — it will look like any other moon. It is named for coinciding with the annual onset of blossoms in North America heralding the warm months ahead.

It won’t be alone in the night sky. The Lyrid meteor shower is ongoing, and several planets will also be visible.

When will the pink moon appear?

The pink moon officially becomes full at 7:49 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, near the time it rises above the horizon in the east-southeast sky in the eastern United States. In Washington, moonrise is at 7:52 p.m.

In much of the United States, moonrise will also occur close to sunset. In Washington, for example, sunset is at 7:54 p.m.

Since the moon appears largest when it is near the horizon and the sunset period gives and appealing ambient light, Tuesday’s moonrise will offer an excellent photo opportunity.

Why is it called a pink moon?

Some Phlox growing in Silver Spring, Md., in 2014.

The pink moon comes at a time of year that blossoms, such as the colorful pastel carpet of creeping phlox, are plentiful, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Most of the favored monikers for our stellar companion come from Native Americans, but other cultures use different names. The April full moon is also known as the egg moon, fish moon and grass moon.

What else can you see in the sky around the pink moon?

April’s Lyrid meteor shower is near its peak as the pink moon illuminates our skies. Unfortunately, the light of the moon will make it more difficult to see the relatively faint trails from any meteors, but keen and patient skywatchers could still be rewarded.

Up to 10 to 20 meteors per hour could be spotted, mainly away from city lights. If you’re out observing, NASA notes, it is best to look away from the constellation Lyra — where the meteors appear to originate — so any trails will appear longer and more vibrant.

Jupiter will also be visible low on the western horizon through the late evening hours on the East Coast. A planetary pairing of Mars and Saturn should also be viewable low on the eastern horizon during the pre-dawn hours.

After the pink moon passes, the next full moon — known as the flower moon — will rise May 23.

Jason Samenow contributed to this report.