Pink Supermoon to light up skies around the world

·

In a world plagued with coronavirus news, the skies will lay upon the world a beautiful phenomenon in the form of a pink “supermoon”. Seen all across the globe, the supermoon will be observed at 5:35 am on April 8 in Greece.

While the pink supermoon won’t actually appear pink to the eye, It’s close proximity to Earth will make the moon appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a full moon at its farthest point from Earth.

April’s 2020 Pink Supermoon is named after phlox, the pink flowers that bloom in spring. These brightly-coloured flowers are native to North America, and they often bloom around the time of April’s Full Moon.

A runner makes his way along a trail on a butte in front of the supermoon over Papago Park in Phoenix in May 2012.Darryl Webb / Reuters

The pink supermoon will approach the Earth at its closest point for this year, at a distance of 356,907 kilometres (200,000 miles.)

The term “supermoon” was coined in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle. It has become an increasingly more popular and media-friendly term in the decades since then. According to NASA, it’s used by the media today to describe what astronomers would call a perigean full moon: a full moon occurring near or at the time when the moon is at its closest point in its orbit around Earth.

The first Full Moon in April is also known as the Paschal Moon in the Christian calendar, because it is used to calculate the date for Easter; the first Sunday after the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday. 

We have 13 full moons to look forward to in 2020. Here’s when you can see them.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

SA principal Michael Koutsoukos warns parents after teacher arrested

Parents at East Adelaide School have been warned by principal Michael Koutsoukos after a teacher was charged with child sexual offences.

Sydney parent George Giovas backs tougher school crackdown on smartphones

As private schools move to restrict student phone access ahead of the ban for under-16s, George Giovas says tougher limits are essential.

Perth IT professional Michael Clapsis jailed over years-long hack

Michael Clapsis has been jailed after the District Court heard he lived a “double life,” using his IT expertise to hack women’s personal data.

Bishop Athinagoras enthroned at Canberra’s Saint Nicholas Church

The Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canberra formally welcomed its first bishop, Athenagoras, during a deeply moving installation ceremony.

South Melbourne FC mourns Hall of Famer and former Socceroo Kris Kalifatidis

South Melbourne FC announced on Saturday, December 6, the passing of Hall of Fame member and former Socceroos player, Kris Kalifatidis.

You May Also Like

St Andrew’s Grammar girls crowned State Futsal Champions

St Andrew’s Grammar's senior girls Futsal team were crowned champions in the School Sport WA Secondary Futsal State Competition.

Altar at St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Beirut survived the explosion [VIDEO]

The altar of St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Achrafieh survived the explosion unscathed - even its oil lamp stayed lit.

Nick Kyrgios given suspended 16-week ban for meltdown following ATP investigation

Nick Kyrgios has received a 16-week suspension and an additional U$25,000 (A$37,000) fine following an ATP investigation into his Cincinnati meltdown in August. Kyrgios was...