We hate to burst your bubble, but the pink supermoon will not be pink. It is so named because in the northern hemisphere the first full moon of spring occurs at the same time as a particular type of pink flower. Image: 123RF / Wouter Midavaine
Star gazers are in luck: There’s a rising pink supermoon on Wednesday, April 8, and it will be the largest and brightest full moon of 2020.
Supermoon is the term used to describe what happens when a full (or new) moon occurs at the same time that the moon is at the point closest to Earth in its monthly orbit.
During this phenomenon, which can occur several times a year, the moon may appear larger and brighter than usual.
Carmel Ives, President of the South African Astronomical Society, confirmed that tonight’s moon will look roughly 10% larger and appear 30% brighter than normal.
Supermoon taken on the N1 in Cape Town near Woodstock. DATE: April 07, 2020, PHOTO: ESA ALEXANDER / SUNDAYTIMESSupermoon taken on the N1 in Cape Town near Woodstock. DATE: April 07, 2020, PHOTO: ESA ALEXANDER / SUNDAYTIMESA conscience poster on the N1 near Plattekloof in Cape Town on a full moon. DATE: April 07, 2020, PHOTO: ESA ALEXANDER / SUNDAYTIMES
What will not be, however, is pink.
The pink moon is the name given to one of the 12 full moons that we usually admire every year. It owes its name to a type of pink wildflower that blooms in the northern hemisphere in early spring.
According to Ives, the sky will continue its display of extraordinary views later this month when Comet Atlas (aka C / 2019 Y4) appears.
Expected to be the brightest comet seen in more than two decades, Atlas will get closer to Earth on April 23, and its closest approach to the Sun will occur on April 31.
The comet is predicted to be most visible around May 1, when it can be visible to the naked eye.
With the night sky showing so dramatically, it would be ideal to have a telescope on hand. If you don’t have one, Ives suggests you try a pair of binoculars.
