full moon and travel

What Are the Moon’s Phases?

If you have looked into the night sky, you may have noticed the Moon appears to change shape each night. Some nights, the Moon might look like a narrow crescent. Other nights, the Moon might look like a bright circle. And on other nights, you might not be able to see the Moon at all. The different shapes of the Moon that we see at different times of the month are called the Moon’s phases .

The Moon’s appearance changes throughout the month. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

Why does this happen? The shape of the Moon isn’t changing throughout the month. However, our view of the Moon does change.

The Moon does not produce its own light. There is only one source of light in our solar system, and that is the Sun. Without the Sun, our Moon would be completely dark. What you may have heard referred to as “moonlight” is actually just sunlight reflecting off of the Moon’s surface.

The Sun’s light comes from one direction, and it always illuminates, or lights up, one half of the Moon – the side of the Moon that is facing the Sun. The other side of the Moon is dark.

The position of the Moon and the Sun during Each of the Moon’s phases and the Moon as it appears from Earth during each phase. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

On Earth, our view of the illuminated part of the Moon changes each night, depending on where the Moon is in its orbit, or path, around Earth. When we have a full view of the completely illuminated side of the Moon, that phase is known as a full moon.

But following the night of each full moon, as the Moon orbits around Earth, we start to see less of the Moon lit by the Sun. Eventually, the Moon reaches a point in its orbit when we don’t see any of the Moon illuminated. At that point, the far side of the Moon is facing the Sun. This phase is called a new moon. During the new moon, the side facing Earth is dark.

The eight Moon phases:

🌑 New : We cannot see the Moon when it is a new moon.

🌒 Waxing Crescent : In the Northern Hemisphere, we see the waxing crescent phase as a thin crescent of light on the right.

🌓 First Quarter : We see the first quarter phase as a half moon.

🌔 Waxing Gibbous : The waxing gibbous phase is between a half moon and full moon. Waxing means it is getting bigger.

🌕 Full : We can see the Moon completely illuminated during full moons.

🌖 Waning Gibbous : The waning gibbous phase is between a full moon and a half moon. Waning means it is getting smaller.

🌗 Third Quarter : We see the third quarter moon as a half moon, too. It is the opposite half as illuminated in the first quarter moon.

🌘 Waning Crescent : In the Northern Hemisphere, we see the waning crescent phase as a thin crescent of light on the left.

The Moon displays these eight phases one after the other as it moves through its cycle each month. It takes about 27.3 days for the Moon to orbit Earth. However, because of how sunlight hits the Moon, it takes about 29.5 days to go from one new moon to the next new moon.

Here’s what the Moon looks like right now from Earth:

Use this tool to see the current Moon phase and to plan ahead for other Moon views. Credit: NASA

Interested in learning more about the Moon?

• Learn all about our Moon here .
• Learn about the types of full moons here .
• Learn why the Moon has craters here .
• Learn about lunar eclipses here .
• Make Oreo Moon phases !

Related Resources for Educators

Daily Moon Guide Moon Phases Simulation Viewed from Earth and Space Our World: Moon Phases Make a Moon Phase Calendar and Calculator

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Phases of the moon, explained

Learn about the lunar cycle, as well as the origins of the many names given to each month's full moon.

Every month Earth's moon goes through its phases , waning and waxing in its constant transformation from new moon to full moon and back again.

This lunar cycle happens in part because the moon does not produce its own light; the silvery glow we see comes from sunlight reflecting off the moon's monochrome surface. In addition, our view of the moon is governed by a gravitational quirk called tidal locking . In essence, it takes roughly the same amount of time for the moon to spin once on its axis as it takes for our celestial companion to complete an orbit around Earth. That means the same side of the moon always faces Earth, although both sides get illuminated as the moon orbits, so there is no perpetual dark side of the moon.

As the moon, Earth, and the sun go through their orbital dance, the part of the moon that's illuminated by sunlight moves in and out of our view, creating a predictable series of lunar phases. In any given month we see eight distinct phases of the moon, defined by how much of the lunar disk is illuminated from our perspective and whether the moon is heading toward or away from being full.

During this phase the moon is between Earth and the sun, which means none of the lunar half we see is illuminated, and the moon becomes nearly invisible in the night sky. We can see the moon in this phase only during a solar eclipse .

Waxing crescent

As the moon's illuminated surface increases, it's in a stage known as waxing, and it's a crescent as long as it's less than half full.

First quarter

This is the phase when half of the moon is illuminated and the percentage of the lit surface is still increasing.

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Waxing gibbous.

When the moon is more than half full and still increasing its illuminated surface, it's called waxing gibbous. The word “gibbous” comes from the Latin for “hump” and has been used for centuries to describe rounded or convex shapes, like swollen eyes or the back of a camel.

In this phase, the moon is behind Earth with respect to the sun, and its face is fully illuminated. This is when we can sometimes see lunar eclipses .

Waning gibbous

This is the stage when the moon is more than half lit but the illuminated surface we can see is decreasing.

Last quarter

During this phase, the moon is once again half illuminated, but the lit area that's visible is on the decline.

Waning crescent

As the next new moon nears, the moon shrinks back to a crescent that's less than half full.

A full moon by any other name

One of the most dramatic sights in the night sky—and inspiration for poets, artists, and lovers for millennia— full moons captivate us like nothing else . Full moons occur every 29.5 days or so, as the moon moves to the side of Earth directly opposite the sun .

For millennia, humans have used the movement of the moon to keep track of the passing year and set schedules for hunting, planting, and harvesting. Ancient cultures the world over have given these full moons names based on the behavior of the plants, animals, or weather during that month.

January: Wolf moon

Native Americans and medieval Europeans supposedly named January's full moon after the howling of hungry wolves lamenting the midwinter paucity of food. Other names for this month's full moon include old moon and ice moon.

February: Snow moon

The typically cold, snowy weather of February in North America earned this full moon its name. Other common names include storm moon and hunger moon.

March: Worm moon

This last full moon of winter was named the worm moon after the worm trails that would appear in the newly thawed ground. Other names include chaste moon, death moon, crust moon (a reference to snow that would become crusty as it thawed during the day and froze at night), and sap moon, after the tapping of the maple trees.

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April: pink moon.

Northern Native Americans call April's full moon the pink moon after a species of early blooming wildflower. In other cultures, this moon is called the sprouting grass moon, the egg moon, and the fish moon.

May: Flower moon

May's abundant blooms give its full moon the name flower moon in many cultures. Other names include the hare moon, the corn planting moon, and the milk moon.

June: Strawberry moon

In North America, the harvesting of strawberries in June gives that month's full moon its name. Europeans have dubbed it the rose moon, while other cultures named it the hot moon for the beginning of summer heat.

July: Buck moon

Male deer, which shed their antlers every year, begin to regrow them in July, hence the Native American name for July's full moon. Other names include thunder moon, for the month's many summer storms, and hay moon, after the July hay harvest.

August: Sturgeon moon

North American fishing tribes called August's full moon the sturgeon moon, since the species was traditionally abundant during this month. It's also been called the green corn moon, the grain moon, and the red moon for the reddish hue it often takes on in the summer haze.

September: Harvest moon

The most familiar named moon, September's harvest moon refers to the time of year after the northern autumn equinox when crops are gathered. Other names include the corn moon and the barley moon.

October: Hunter's moon

The first moon after the harvest moon is the hunter's moon, so named as the preferred month to hunt summer-fattened deer and fox unable to hide in now bare fields. The hunter's moon is also particularly bright and long-lasting in the sky, giving hunters the opportunity to stalk prey at night. Other names include the travel moon and the dying grass moon.

November: Beaver moon

There is disagreement over the origin of November's beaver moon name. Some say it comes from Native Americans setting beaver traps during this month, while others say the name comes from the heavy activity of beavers building their winter dams. Another name is the frost moon.

December: Cold moon

The coming of winter earned December's full moon the name cold moon. Other names include the long night moon and the oak moon.

Blue moons are not actually blue, and despite the common turn of phrase, they are not especially rare. While the precise definition has changed over the years, the term “blue moon” is commonly used today to describe a second full moon appearing in a calendar month, which happens every two and a half years, on average.

The moon's orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle, and its distance to our planet changes over the course of an orbital cycle. When a full moon coincides with an especially close approach, or perigee, the lunar orb is slightly bigger and brighter than average, delivering what's come to be known as a supermoon .

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The Full Moon Calendar

Why the Full Moon is important

The full moon has been affiliated with harvests, festivals, wolves, and insanity. The very word “lunacy” stems from people’s ideas of mental stability and the moon’s phases. Full moons have captured imaginations across cultures and time, and many cultures have named the various full moons. 2020 is notable in that it will not have twelve full moons, but thirteen. The thirteenth full moon is called a blue moon. About every nineteen years, the opposite occurs, in that February will not have a full moon. This is referred to as a black moon. Each moon of the year has its own name and connotations depending on the season.

January’s full moon is often referred to as the Wolf Moon . It can also be called the Moon after Yule, in reference to the pagan holiday of Yule supplanted by Christmas. The early Catholic Church incorporated pagan holidays into their calendar to help conversion, which is why they coincide with holidays like Yule or solstice celebrations. February’s moon is usually called the Snow Moon since it tends to snow a lot in February. Some Native American tribes call it a Hunger Moon due to scarce food supplies.

March’s full moon is called the Worm Moon to signify the return of earthworms in the winter thaw as the season’s transition. Many names are attributed to March’s moon, such Crow Moon, Sap Moon for maple syrup season, and the old Anglo-Saxon term Lenten Moon. As the name implies, the Lenten Moon is the only full moon to occur during Lent. Continuing the Easter theme, an old Anglo-Saxon term for April’s full moon was Paschal Moon, in reference to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The more common name for April’s moon in modern times is Pink Moon , as pink phlox flowers bloom that month.

Whereas April’s moon is for one flower, May’s full moon is called the Flower Moon to signify the massive bloom following April’s rainfall. The less romantic but more practical Corn Planting Moon is another name. As mentioned earlier, farmers like full moons because they can work under its light if the sky is clear. June is called the Strawberry Moon as that month is the peak of the season. Mead Moon is another name, as fermenting started earlier in the year to produce a proper drink. Continuing the new season’s growth, July is often called Buck Moon because male deer’s antlers start growing around this time. Since July often has many thunderstorms, Thunder Moon is another term for July’s full moon.

August, the last full month of summer, has many names related to food and bounty. The Algonquin tribes called it Sturgeon Moon as the lakes filled with fish. The Anglo-Saxons called it the Grain Moon, and some called it the Barley Moon or Green Corn Moon. The importance of the harvest and it’s relation to the moons grows stronger in the autumn. September’s moon is called the Corn Moon, though the Farmer’s Almanac used to refer to it as the Harvest Moon based on the Anglo-Saxon term.

In modern times, the Harvest Moon is in October, and in fact this happens every three years because the Harvest Moon is based on the equinox, not the calendar. Hunter’s Moon is the term for October’s full moon otherwise, since it’s prime hunting season and the time when northern peoples would stock up on meat for the winter. In 2020, the Blue Moon will occur on Halloween, making it even more extraordinary for moon fans.

To end the year, November is often called the Beaver Moon as beavers tend to be the most active in that month. It can also be called the Frost Moon since frost starts to form at night. If November’s full moon is the last before the winter solstice, it is called the Mourning Moon. Winter is often considered a season of death due to the migration of wildlife and trees bereft of leaves. December is aptly called the Cold Moon since winter starts in that month. The Anglo-Saxons once called the full moon the Moon before Yule, in reference to the holiday occurring around the winter solstice as mentioned before. It can also be called the Oak Moon, though this term can also apply to November. Either way, the history of the full moon’s names is long and spans many cultures and traditions.

For an in-depth explination of the moon including it's origins and history of exploration visit Nasa's Moon Page .

Enter your email for custom Monthly Moon Updates ! Find out more> -->

Were you born on a Full Moon? Click Here to find out

Moon Phases 2024 – Lunar Calendar

Permalink for Moscow: Moon phases for Moscow, Russia

Moon Phases for Moscow, 24 Apr 2024 – 15 May 2024

Third quarter, first quarter, moon phases for moscow, moscow, russia in 2024.

Sun and Moon times today for Moscow | Moonrise and moonset times for Moscow | Sunrise and sunset times for Moscow

2024 Moon Phases Calendar

Special moon events in 2024.

• Super New Moon : 10 Feb
• Micro Full Moon : 24 Feb
• Super New Moon : 10 Mar
• Micro Full Moon : 25 Mar
• Super New Moon : 8 Apr
• Blue Moon : 19 Aug (third Full Moon in a season with four Full Moons)
• Partial Lunar Eclipse visible in Moscow on 18 Sep
• Super Full Moon : 18 Sep
• Micro New Moon : 2 Oct
• Super Full Moon : 17 Oct
• Black Moon : 31 Dec (second New Moon in single calendar month)

Articles About Moon Phases

• About Moon Phases
• What Is a Super Full Moon?
• Why Is the Full Moon in the Daytime?
• What Is a Micro Moon?
• Full Moon Names

About the Moon

• Moon Photography Tips & Tricks
• The Moon: Our Satellite

Printable PDF calendar of moon phases

Need some help?

April's full Pink Moon puts on show across the globe

April's full moon is known by many names, according to different native american tribes and cultures around the world..

Time-lapse video shows 'moonbow' shining in middle of the night

File video: The full moon was bright enough early Monday to create a rainbow in the dark of night. (Video courtesy: Greg Johnson / SkunkBayWeather.com)

April's full Moon , known as the Pink Moon, put on a spectacular show across the planet Tuesday night and will remain bright in the night sky through the end of the week.   

This Moon is known by many names, according to different Native American tribes and cultures worldwide. The Maine Farmers' Almanac started using the Native American names for full Moons in the 1930s.

The full moon, which is known as the 'Pink Moon' during April, sets sets behind The Balmoral Clock and Edinburgh Castle. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2024. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images) ( )

TOPSHOT - This photograph taken in Paris on April 23, 2024, shows the April's full moonset, also known as the Pink Moon, seen behind the Eiffel Tower. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP) (Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

This photograph taken in Paris on April 23, 2024, shows the April's full moonset, also known as the Pink Moon, seen behind the Eiffel Tower. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP) (Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

TOPSHOT - People watch the April's full moonset, also known as the "Pink Moon", rising behind the clouds in Singapore on April 24, 2024. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

JERSEY CITY, NJ - APRIL 23: The full Pink Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on April 23, 2024, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.  (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) ( )

JERSEY CITY, NJ - APRIL 23: The full Pink Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City as an airplane flies past on April 23, 2024, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.  (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) ( )

MADRID, SPAIN - 2024/04/23: The full moon of April known as the Pink Moon rises over a fire lookout tower. (Photo by Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images) ( )

The full moon, which is known as the 'Pink Moon' during April, sets behind Edinburgh Castle. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2024. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images) ( )

WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA - APRIL 23: April full moon (or Pink Moon) is seen behind a perching egret silhouette in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, Indonesia, on April 23, 2024. April full moons often coincide with the blooming of certain wildflowers native to eastern North America. (Photo by Adi Prima/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )

SECAUCUS, UNITED STATES - APRIL 22: The Pink Full Moon rises over the sky in Secaucus, New Jersey, United States on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Islam Dogru/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )

According to the Farmers' Almanac , the Pink Moon is named for the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, a plant native to the eastern U.S. This bloom is pink and can be a sign of spring. 

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH THE MOON WITH YOUR PHONE

April's full Moon has other native names, including the Egg Moon, Fish Moon and Sprouting Grass Moon. According to the Hebrew calendar, it's also known as the Passover or Pesach Moon. 

This photograph taken in Paris on April 23, 2024, shows the April's full moonset, also known as the Pink Moon, seen behind the Eiffel Tower.  (Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

A full Moon provides a good opportunity to hone those photography skills.

With the Moon appearing full on the days around its peak , photographers around the world have been capturing views of lunar features with international backdrops from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Statue of Liberty in New York . 

Watch the Full Pink Moon 2024 bloom in the night sky tonight

Look to the east just after sunset to see the moon begin to cross the sky.

The Full Pink Moon of 2024 rises tonight.

Look to the east shortly after sunset to see the full moon rise above the horizon. The moon will be in the Virgo constellation , and will have most of the night to enjoy the night sky by itself while the planets are situated on the other side of Earth. That's great news for skywatchers because the full moon's brightness makes spotting other cosmic targets quite difficult when they are indeed above us; tonight, however, those targets won't even be an option. It's a night to focus solely on the moon.

The exact time of the full moon, which will take shape when the moon is exactly 180 degrees opposite the sun in the sky, will occur around 7:49 pm. EDT (2349 GMT). Still, the moon will appear "full" to the unaided eye throughout the whole night. It will set in the west shortly before 7 a.m. local time.

Related: April full moon 2024: The Pink Moon joins Mars and Saturn in the night sky Read more: Full moon calendar 2023: When to see the next full moon

Looking for a telescope to observe the features of the full moon up close? We recommend the  Celestron Astro Fi 102  as the top pick in our  best beginner's telescope guide . Don't forget a  moon filter !

Saturn and Mars will rise in the east around two hours prior to sunrise, although they will be just a few degrees above the horizon — making finding them a tricky feat for some locations.

Unfortunately, the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower also happens to coincide with the full moon this year, making this a bad year for Lyrid-lovers . When moonwatching, you might be able to catch sight of a bright Lyrid or two, but don't expect much. Even on a good day, this isn't the most productive meteor shower to begin with.

The name of April's Full Pink Moon is believed to come a pink flower known as the ground phlox, which commonly blooms in North America around this time. Other names for the celestial event include the Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon and Fish Moon.

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Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Hoping to snap a good photo of the Full Pink Moon or the lunar surface at any other time? Our guide on  how to photograph the moon  is always helpful if you need a few tips. And you're looking for a camera, here's our overview on the  best cameras for astrophotography  and  best lenses for astrophotography . 

As always, our guides for the  best telescopes  and  best binoculars  can help you prepare for the next full moon or any other skywatching event.

Editor's note:   If you get an amazing photo of April's Full Pink Moon you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, you can send images and comments in to  [email protected] .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Brett is curious about emerging aerospace technologies, alternative launch concepts, military space developments and uncrewed aircraft systems. Brett's work has appeared on Scientific American, The War Zone, Popular Science, the History Channel, Science Discovery and more. Brett has English degrees from Clemson University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In his free time, Brett enjoys skywatching throughout the dark skies of the Appalachian mountains.

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• rod "That's great news for skywatchers because the full moon's brightness makes spotting other cosmic targets quite difficult when they are indeed above us; tonight, however, those targets won't even be an option. It's a night to focus solely on the moon." Last night where I live in MD, the nearly full Moon was up in a clear sky with cool temperatures. No lights where I am at, just moonlight flooding the fields, pastures, and woods. No telescope observations, moonlight fills the night sky, lovely to see but difficult to view faint objects as reported here. Reply
• Wolfshadw Always enjoyed seeing my shadow via the light of a full moon. Difficult if there's too much light pollution, as with my current situation, but as a kid, living out among the cornfields of MN, pretty easy. -Wolf sends Reply
• rod Wolfshadw, yes it is very lovely to see your shadow or shadow of trees by moonlight over fields and pastures. Glad you could experience that in life. Last October I was up in Balsam lake, WI and Shafer MN (very large barn and farm area and fields). Very dark skies up there, I could see the Milky Way easily running from Cassiopeia thru Cygnus and into Sagittarius. Great dark sky in remote and very rural areas of MN. Reply
• View All 3 Comments

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Watch CBS News

When and where you can see April's Pink Moon

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 22, 2024 / 4:39 PM EDT / CBS News

Astronomy fans can check out the Pink Moon this month as April's full moon rises.

April's full moon will reach peak illumination at 7:49 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, but it will appear full from Monday through Thursday morning, according to NASA . The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonrise times for different ZIP codes across the U.S. 

Why is April's full moon known as the Pink Moon?

Full moon names often come from seasons, historical crops and the behavior of certain animals. The "Pink Moon" moniker unfortunately has nothing to do with the moon's color, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. Instead, it's connected to the early springtime bloom of certain wildflowers, including one native to eastern North America often called "moss pink."

April's full moon goes by several other names, too, including Breaking Ice Moon, Moon When the Streams are Again Navigable, Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs and Moon of the Red Grass Appearing. It also has several names connected to animals, including Moon When the Ducks Come Back, Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs, Frog Moon and Sucker Moon.

NASA notes it's also the Pesach or Passover Moon — the Jewish holiday begins this year on Monday evening. This full moon also corresponds with the Hanuman Jayanti festival on the Hindu lunisolar calendar in most regions, according to the space agency. 

Look up — what else can you see in the sky this spring?

The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is estimated to peak Saturday, May 4 through Sunday, May 5. And May's full moon, the Flower Moon, reaches peak illumination on May 23. 

In case you missed it,  the Lyrid meteor shower  peaked late Sunday night, between April 21 and 22.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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April 2024 full moon rises Tuesday night. But why is it called the 'pink moon'?

Following its blockbuster role as part of the total solar eclipse in early April , the moon is making another notable appearance in the sky this week. This time, the full "pink" moon will rise in the evening sky Tuesday, but it will appear full for several nights.

But barring some unforeseen atmospheric phenomena – such as wildfire smoke – the moon won't actually appear pink to our eyes. Instead, the moon should be "its usual golden color near the horizon and fade to a bright white as it glides overhead," according to the  Old Farmer's Almanac .

The full moon in April instead gets its name from one of the earliest widespread flowers of spring. Here's what to know:

When is April's full moon?

The full moon will happen on Tuesday, April 23, at 7:49 p.m. EDT.

To our eyes, the moon will appear full for about three days, from Monday morning to Thursday morning, NASA said.

Why is it called the pink moon?

For millennia, people across the world, including Native Americans, named the months after nature’s cues. Each full moon has its own name.

According to  NASA , the Maine Farmers' Almanac began publishing Native American names for full moons in the 1930s and these names are now widely known and used.

The full moon in April is known as the pink moon, named after the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox or mountain phlox. This is a plant native to the eastern United States that is one of the earliest widespread flowers of spring.

Creeping phlox thrives in sandy or rocky soils and is often used as a ground cover, the  Farmer's Almanac  said. 

NASA said other names for this moon include the sprouting grass moon, the egg moon and – among coastal tribes of North America – the fish moon, because this was when the shad swam upstream to spawn.

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?

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.

The Moon's Orbit and Rotation

An enduring myth about the Moon is that it doesn't rotate. While it's true that the Moon keeps the same face to us, this only happens because the Moon rotates at the same rate as its orbital motion, a special case of tidal locking called synchronous rotation . The animation shows both the orbit and the rotation of the Moon. The yellow circle with the arrow and radial line have been added to make the rotation more apparent. The arrow indicates the direction of rotation. The radial line points to the center of the visible disk of the Moon at 0°N 0°E.

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Top Moon Questions

What do you wonder? Some of your frequently asked Moon questions, answered.

Moon in Motion: Phases, Patterns, and More

Does the moon rotate does the moon spin on its axis.

Yes! The time it takes for the Moon to rotate once on its axis is equal to the time it takes for the Moon to orbit once around Earth. This means that the same side of the Moon always faces our planet.Your browser does not support the video tag.The Moon always keeps the same face towards Earth because it takes the same amount of time to rotate on its axis as it does to orbit our planet. This is called synchronous rotation. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization StudioIf the Moon did not rotate on its axis at all, or if it rotated at any other rate, then we would see different parts of the Moon throughout the month.

Does the Moon orbit Earth?

Yes. The Moon takes about one month to orbit Earth (27.3 days to complete a revolution, but 29.5 days to change from New Moon to New Moon). As the Moon completes each 27.3-day orbit around Earth, both Earth and the Moon are moving around the Sun. Because of this change in position, sunlight appears to hit the Moon at a slightly different angle on day 27 than it does on day zero ― even though the Moon itself has already traveled all the way around Earth. It takes a little more than two additional days for sunlight to hit the Moon in the same way it did on day zero. This is why it takes 29.5 days to get from new moon to new moon, even though it doesn’t take quite that long for the Moon itself to travel once around Earth.

Are Moon phases the same everywhere on Earth?

Yes, everyone sees the same phases of the Moon. People north and south of the equator do see the Moon’s current phase from different angles, though. If you traveled to the other hemisphere, the Moon would be in the same phase as it is at home, but it would appear upside down compared to what you're used to! For example, on March 8, 2021, the Moon was in a waning crescent phase. Seen from the Northern Hemisphere, the waning crescent appeared on the left side of the Moon. Seen from the Southern Hemisphere, the crescent appeared on the right.

Are Moon phases caused by shadows from Earth?

No. The only time Earth’s shadow affects our view of the Moon is during a lunar eclipse . Generally, one half of the Moon ― the side facing the Sun ― is brightly illuminated, and one is in shadow. We use moon phases to describe the way our perspective on the half-lit Moon changes as Earth and Moon move through space over the course of a month. During a crescent moon, for example, the part of the Moon that faces Earth is mostly in shadow, and the far side of the Moon is mostly sunlit . The visible crescent is the only part of the lunar nearside that is experiencing daytime.

Why do we see Moon phases?

The Moon is always half-lit by the sun (except during a lunar eclipse ). The side of the Moon facing the Sun appears bright because of reflected sunlight, and the side of the Moon facing away from the Sun is dark. Our perspective on the half-lit Moon changes as the Moon orbits Earth . When the side nearest to us is fully lit, we call this a full Moon. When the far side is fully lit and the near side is dark, we call this a new Moon. When we see other phases , we are looking at the division between lunar night (the dark part) and day (the bright part).

What is the Moon really shaped like?

The Moon is shaped like an imperfect sphere. From a distance, it looks nearly round. Seen up close, the Moon’s surface is a three-dimensional landscape of mountains, valleys, and craters. Explore the Moon’s surface from wherever you are in this 3D map built from data captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). From Earth, our view of the Moon's sunlit surface changes throughout the month. Learn about crescent moons, full moons, and other moon phases here .

Can I see the Moon during the day?

Yes! The Moon is up just as much during the day as it is at night, but you might not notice it as easily. Because the Sun is also up, and because the Moon phases that are most often visible in daylight show us only a little bit of the Moon’s bright side (like the crescent Moon phases), the Moon is harder to see during the day.

Why does the Moon rise and set? Can people in different countries see the Moon on the same day?

Moonrises and moonsets occur for the same reason as sunrises and sunsets: Earth rotates once a day. This means that observers in many different parts of the world have their turn looking at the Moon throughout each day, just like we all see the same Sun over the course of 24 hours.

Moonrise and moonset times change each day as the Moon moves through its monthly orbit around Earth. Learn more about the Moon's motion through space here .

Why does the Moon look largest close to the horizon?

This is an optical illusion. Prove it for yourself here !

Origin and Nature of the Moon

Does the moon make its own light (like the sun does).

The Moon does not make its own light. “Moonlight” is really sunlight that has reflected off of the Moon’s surface.

What is moonlight? How is the Moon lit?

The Moon does not make its own light. All moonlight is reflected sunlight. The bright part of the Moon is experiencing daytime.

What is the Moon? Is it a planet?

The Moon is a natural satellite , or a space object that orbits around something else. Our Moon is Earth’s natural satellite. In general, a moon is a natural satellite of a planet, and a planet is a special kind of natural satellite that orbits a star and also meets other conditions. Learn more: What makes a planet a planet ?

How did the Moon form?

The leading theory is that a Mars-sized object collided with Earth billions of years ago, and debris from this collision eventually formed the Moon. Here is an animation that shows what this might have looked like:

Does the Moon have gravity? Do things float “up” when dropped on the Moon?

The Moon does have gravity. Because the Moon has less mass than Earth, its gravitational pull is weaker (about one-sixth of Earth’s). On the Moon, you’d be able to jump about six times as high as you can on Earth ― but you would still come back down!

What would happen if there was no Moon? How does the Moon affect Earth?

Earth would be a very different world if it had no Moon. The Moon's gravity keeps our planet from wobbling on its axis too much, which helps to stabilize our climate. The Moon also plays an important role in creating Earth's ocean tides .

Discover More Topics From NASA

Lunar Discovery and Exploration

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Worm full moon 2024: How March’s full moon got its name and when you can see it

Skywatchers will be treated to a full moon on March 25 with a name that evokes the start of spring.

The Worm Moon will reach its peak on Monday at 3 a.m. ET (2 a.m. CT) though it will appear full the night before and after that day.

Full moon names come from a variety of sources, including Native American, Colonial American and European sources, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. While most people associate the Worm Moon with the time in spring that earthworms start to appear in the warming soil, there could be another explanation.

According to the Almanac:

“In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes and wrote that the name Worm Moon refers to a different sort of “worm”—beetle larvae—which begin to emerge from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time.”

NASA offers another explanation, saying the name came from southern Native American tribes due to the “earthworm casts that appear as the ground thaws.”

READ MORE: Total solar eclipse path 2024: Search your city, ZIP code for best viewing times

The next full moon will be the Pink Moon, which takes its name from flowers that appear in April. It will light up the night sky on April 23. Other full moons for 2024 include:

• Flower Moon – May 23
• Strawberry Moon – June 21
• Buck Moon – July 21
• Sturgeon Moon – Aug. 19
• Harvest Moon – Sept. 17
• Hunter’s Moon – Oct. 17
• Beaver Moon – Nov. 15
• Cold Moon – Dec. 15

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.