A Celestial Marvel Over the Weekend

This past weekend, the sky turned enchanting with the rise of the 2025 Pink Moon, marking the fourth full moon of the year. It prompted enthusiasts around the globe to ponder its size. Did this so-called 'micromoon' look smaller than expected?

As if that wasn't enough, the stunning star Spica shone brightly nearby, adding to the spectacle.

What is the Pink Moon?

Rising over the southeastern horizon on April 13th at approximately 9:00 PM BST, this full moon isn't actually pink! Its name is derived from the vibrant flowers that bloom in spring, signaling the arrival of warmer weather.

While the Pink Moon lacks any actual pink hue, a clear view can reveal a warmer, orange tint if observed near the horizon. This phenomenon occurs due to the Earth's atmosphere scattering light.

The Moon Illusion Wonder

Ever wondered why the moon appears larger near the horizon? This intriguing optical illusion adds to the wonder of our nocturnal sky, making the moon seem more imposing than when it's high above.

Hello, Micromoon!

Some enthusiasts referred to the April full moon as a Pink Micromoon! This is because it coincided with the Moon’s apogee, the point where it is farthest from Earth, resulting in it appearing about 14.1% smaller and 30% dimmer than when it's closest, known as perigee.

However, don't let the term 'micromoon' fool you; to the naked eye, the difference is nearly imperceptible!

Meet Spica: The Celestial Companion

On April 13th, a bright star accompanied the Pink Moon—meet Spica! This dazzling star, the brightest in the constellation Virgo, is actually a binary star system, comprising two stars orbiting each other.

Though they appear as a single point of light from our perspective on Earth, with the right equipment, stargazers might discover these stellar companions. However, Spica is challenging to resolve, even through a telescope.

Overall, the Pink Moon and Spica created a captivating scene that left everyone in awe, proving that the universe has endless wonders waiting to be explored!