April’s full moon, also known as the Pink Moon, is approaching, bringing Easter along with it. In March, the U.S. experienced the “Blood Moon,” the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years. Now, April’s Pink Moon marks the first full moon of the official spring season and is also a “micromoon,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Here’s what you need to know about April’s full moon:
When is the Pink Moon?
The moon will rise in the Rochester area at approximately 7:49 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and set at 6:14 a.m. on Sunday, April 13. In White Plains, the moon will rise around 7:30 p.m. on April 12 and set at 6:01 a.m. on April 13, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What is a micromoon?
Many people are familiar with the term “supermoon,” but a micromoon is the opposite. It occurs when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, known as apogee. April’s full moon will happen just 22 hours before this point, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.
More: When to see 2025’s full moons, total lunar eclipse and supermoons
What is the Paschal Moon?
In addition to being a micromoon, April’s full moon has religious significance. It is known as the Paschal Moon in Christianity if it occurs after the spring equinox. This full moon helps determine the date for Easter. Since this year’s full moon happens after the equinox on March 20, Easter will be celebrated on April 20, 2025, the first Sunday following the full moon.
When was the last full moon?
The last full moon was the Blood Moon, which reached peak illumination on March 14, 2025. Prior to that, February’s Snow Moon peaked on Feb. 12.
Why is it called the pink moon?
Despite its name, April’s full moon won’t appear pink. The name comes from the early spring bloom of creeping phlox, a pink flower found in parts of eastern North America. The names of many full moons come from Native American traditions, though some also have roots in Colonial American and European folklore. Other names for April’s full moon, reflecting the dawn of spring, include:
- Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin)
- Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable (Dakota)
- Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit)
- Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala)
- Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota)
- Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota)
- Frog Moon (Cree)
- The Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe)
Full moon names for 2025
Here’s a list of full moon names for the year:
- January: Wolf Moon
- February: Snow Moon
- March: Worm Moon
- April: Pink Moon
- May: Flower Moon
- June: Strawberry Moon
- July: Buck Moon
- August: Sturgeon Moon
- September: Corn Moon (was Harvest Moon in 2024)
- October: Hunter Moon
- November: Beaver Moon
- December: Cold Moon
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is the Flower Moon, which occurs on May 12. Moonrise in the Rochester area is roughly 8:54 p.m. and is around 8:30 p.m. in the Westchester area.
What other celestial events are happening in April?
Three additional celestial events are taking place this month. Here’s when you should take a look at the night sky to try and catch a glimpse:
The Lyrids meteor shower, which NASA says is one of the oldest known meteor showers, will peak on April 21-22.
A waning crescent moon will create a triangle with Venus and Saturn, creating a lopsided celestial smile about 30 minutes before sunrise on April 25, according to astronomy news website EarthSky.
Although we won’t be able to see it, the closest new supermoon of the year arrives April 27. The moon will be 221,917 miles from Earth, nearly 17,000 miles closer than the moon’s average distance of 238,900 miles, according to EarthSky.
Contributing: USA Today Network
