Wed Apr 09 07:40:00 UTC 2025: ## April’s Micromoon to Set the Date for a Late Easter
**Asheville, NC** – Stargazers are in for a celestial treat this April, but it won’t be quite as spectacular as March’s total lunar eclipse. April 12th will see the rise of the Pink Moon, a micromoon marking the first full moon of spring. Unlike a supermoon, a micromoon appears smaller and dimmer because it occurs when the moon is near its furthest point from Earth (apogee). This year’s Pink Moon reaches its peak illumination at 8:22 PM on April 12th, just hours before reaching apogee on April 13th.
The name “Pink Moon” is somewhat misleading; the moon won’t actually appear pink. The name derives from the early spring bloom of creeping phlox, also known as moss pink, prevalent in parts of eastern North America.
This year’s Pink Moon holds special religious significance. Falling after the spring equinox (March 20th), it’s classified as a Paschal Moon, determining the date of Easter. Because Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal Moon, the holiday falls later than usual in 2025.
The Pink Moon follows the March Blood Worm Moon and February’s Snow Moon. While this micromoon might lack the dramatic flair of its predecessors, it serves as a significant marker for both astronomical and religious calendars.
First Piper 