Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A full moon known as the Pink Moon is set to light up the night sky on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This lunar event occurs when the Earth aligns directly between the Sun and the Moon, with the full moon becoming visible as it rises in the eastern sky around sunset.
This particular full moon is also classified as a micromoon, a term used when the moon reaches the farthest point in its elliptical orbit around Earth, known as the apogee. Because of its greater distance, the moon will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual, a stark contrast to the more dramatic supermoons that appear larger and brighter.
For optimal viewing, skywatchers are advised to find a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, ideally from an elevated location or an open field. While the Pink Moon can be seen with the naked eye, using binoculars or a telescope can enhance the experience.
Unfortunately, the Pink Moon will be difficult to observe from much of Asia, including Indonesia. According to Live Science, the full moon will be visible in the eastern United States at approximately 8:22 p.m. local time on April 12.
It will also share the sky with Spica, the brightest star in the Virgo constellation, and can be seen across Central and South America as well as along the southern coast of South Africa.
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Despite its name, the Pink Moon does not actually appear pink in color. The name is symbolic, part of a tradition of assigning seasonal names to full moons. According to Astronomy.com, these names often stem from cultural, agricultural, and natural observations passed down through generations.
The naming tradition helped people track the passage of time and seasonal changes. Each full moon of the year carries a unique name, typically rooted in Native American traditions.
The Pink Moon marks the full moon that occurs in April each year, named not for its color but for the seasonal bloom of wild pink phlox, one of the earliest flowers to appear in spring
NASA notes that the Pink Moon has also been referred to as the Fish Moon by some coastal tribes, another indicator of seasonal shifts marking the period when shad fish swim upstream to spawn.
Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or simply enjoy gazing at the night sky, Saturday’s Pink Moon offers a beautiful and symbolic reminder of nature’s rhythm and the changing of seasons.
(Raidi/Agung)
