Vancouverites can bathe under the light of a breathtaking full "pink moon" next month.
While April's full moon is commonly referred to as the "pink moon," the lunar display doesn't actually include any rosy hues. Instead, it earned its name because it occurs during the time when spring flowers start to blossom.
When peak cherry blossom time arrives in the spring, locals are quick to share beautiful snaps of rosy canopies, blossoming cityscapes, and pink blizzards.
The moon will be at its fullest in Metro Vancouver skies on Wednesday, April 5 at 9:34 a.m., according to timeanddate.com. But clear skies or less cloud coverage in the Vancouver weather forecast are required for optimal viewing.
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Vancouver coincides with April's fullest lunar offering, as it kicks off this year on April 1 and runs through April 23.
Where does the pink moon get its name?
The April moon gets its name from "heralding the appearance of the 'moss pink,' or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers," describes The Old Farmer's Almanac. Native peoples would give distinctive names to each reoccurring full moon to mark the change of seasons.
The April full moon also goes by other names including the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Full Fish Moon, according to Space.com.
April's full lunar offering is also known as the Paschal Full Moon this year because it is the first full moon to take place after the spring equinox. As such, it determines when Easter will be celebrated.
This year, Easter will take place a week after the April full moon on Sunday, April 9 based on the Gregorian calendar, while the Eastern Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 16, according to the Almanac.
Last month, locals captured images of a rainbow halo around the full worm moon. Have a look at the illuminated, billowy clouds in a series of photos and videos.
With files from Maria Diment.
