Keep an eye out for the ‘pink’ supermoon in Irish skies this week

Apparently, if you look up at the night sky during the very early hours of Wednesday morning, you’ll see the “Super Pink Moon,” the most impressive supermoon of the year

A full moon is due at 3.35am on Wednesday morning and will be visible both in morning and evening skies for the coming days. This week’s moon is known as a supermoon because the full moon coincides with the perigee or its closest approach to Earth.

Once risen above the horizon, it will reach peak illumination at 3.35am Wednesday morning.

It will continue large and bright in our skies on Wednesday and Thursday night, gradually becoming smaller towards the weekend.

It will appear 7% larger than an average full moon.

Why is it called a ‘pink’ supermoon?

Great shot James. This was my shot. pic.twitter.com/SWIrXKbhZh

— william keogh (@docmagu1) April 7, 2020

It’s known as a ‘pink’ supermoon but it will in all likelihood just appear bigger than usual with a more orange tint.  That’s due to an effect caused by our atmosphere, similar to how the sun can appear more red as it rises and sets, according to NASA.

The name originates from an old farmers’ almanac – referring to herb moss pink, a flower native to the US that is associated with the beginning of spring.

It’s also known as the ‘Pashal Moon’ and helps set the date for Easter. This is why Easter is a movable holiday, occurring anywhere from late March to late April.

This year will have up to four supermoons total, when the moon appears even larger and brighter in our sky. The next supermoon will occur on May 7th.

Keep an eye out if you can as experts say we won’t see this again for at least two years.

Main photograph: @LatestinSpace