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Tonight will be a ‘Pink Moon,’ but it may not be what you think

Posted at 8:57 AM, Apr 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-19 11:57:50-04

As the moon rises tonight, it will appear larger than average because it is at the point in its orbit when it is nearest of Earth. It is called the ‘Pink Moon.’

According to space.com, the moon will be three days past perigee, so it will almost be a “supermoon.”

Despite the name, it’s not really pink. The name “Pink Moon” comes from the bloom of ground phlox, a pink flower common in North America. This April moon has also been called the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon.

Native Americans named the moons as they tracked their harvesting schedule.

The next full moon will be the ‘Flower Moon’ on May 18.