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UK Stargazers Set for Rare Pink Micromoon and Spica Display
British skywatchers are in for a celestial spectacle this week as a rare pink micromoon will grace the night sky alongside the brilliant blue star Spica. This unique lunar event, occurring on Saturday evening, promises a captivating view for stargazing enthusiasts. The April full moon, often referred to as the Pink Moon, will coincide with the moon’s furthest point from Earth, making it appear as a micromoon. This diminished lunar disc will be positioned near Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, offering a stunning astronomical alignment.
Witness the Pink Micromoon and Spica Alignment
Looking towards the southeast horizon after nightfall, amateur astronomers across the UK can observe the first full moon of spring as it converges with Spica. This luminous star, the most radiant in the constellation Virgo, will be a striking companion to the micromoon.
What Makes This Micromoon Special?
This celestial phenomenon is particularly noteworthy because it occurs when the moon reaches its apogee – the farthest point in its orbit from Earth. This increased distance causes our natural satellite to appear approximately seven percent smaller than average.
Typically, the moon is about 238,900 miles (384,500km) from Earth. However, on the evening of April 12th, it will be situated over 13,000 miles (20,900km) farther away, contributing to the micromoon effect.
While the exact moment the moon becomes officially full is at 01:22 BST the following morning, its illumination will already be at 99 percent on Saturday evening. This slight difference will be virtually imperceptible to observers with the naked eye, ensuring a spectacular view throughout the night.
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Easy Viewing: No Special Equipment Needed
The good news for those eager to witness this week’s remarkable celestial display is that no specialized equipment is required. The pink micromoon and Spica alignment will be readily visible to the unaided eye.
Understanding the Pink Moon Name
Despite its moniker, the ‘pink moon‘ will not actually exhibit a different colour compared to other full moons. The name originates from the springtime blooming of the Phlox subulata wildflower, a North American plant also known as ‘moss pink’. This floral event seasonally coincides with April’s full moon, hence the name.
It is true that the moon might briefly exhibit a pink or reddish hue as it ascends from the horizon. This temporary colour shift is due to the scattering of sunlight by Earth’s atmosphere, particularly when the moon is low in the sky. This atmospheric effect is independent of the time of year. The scattering of blue wavelengths allows more red and pink tones to reach the moon, causing a perceived colour alteration.
Once the moon elevates higher in the sky, it should revert to its customary colour, even on the night of the so-called pink moon.
Micromoon Explained
The designation of this full moon as a ‘micromoon‘ stems from its orbital position. The moon’s orbit around Earth is not perfectly circular, resulting in varying distances between the two bodies throughout its monthly cycle.
Jake Foster, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explained to MailOnline, ‘A micromoon occurs when the Moon is at its greatest distance from the Earth, a point known as apogee, while simultaneously being in its full moon phase.’
A micromoon is, in essence, the opposite of a supermoon. A supermoon happens when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth (perigee). During a micromoon, the moon is approximately 251,970 miles (405,500km) away and appears smaller from our vantage point.
Mr. Foster notes, ‘You might observe that the Moon appears smaller than usual, about 7 percent smaller than its average size, and also approximately 15 percent dimmer.’ He added, ‘Although a smaller, fainter Moon might not sound as dramatic as a supermoon, both are fascinating outcomes of the mechanics within our solar system.’
The slightly reduced luminosity of a micromoon can even be advantageous for spotting fainter celestial objects such as Spica, making the conjunction of the two on Saturday night even more appealing for observers.
Upcoming Full Moons in 2024
Mark your calendars for these future full moon events:
- Pink Moon: April 13 (01:22 BST)
- Flower Moon: May 12 (17:56 BST)
- Strawberry Moon: June 11 (08:44 BST)
- Buck Moon: July 10 (21:37 BST)
- Sturgeon Moon: August 9 (08:55 BST)
- Harvest Moon: September 7 (19:09 BST)
- Hunter’s Moon: October 7 (04:48 BST)
- Beaver Moon: November 5 (13:19 BST)
- Cold Moon: December 4 (23:14 BST)
*Times in brackets are best time to see the event from the UK
Spotting Spica Near the Micromoon
Spica, the stellar companion to this week’s micromoon, is the brightest star in Virgo and the 16th brightest in the entire night sky. Despite emitting 20,500 times more light than our Sun, Spica appears fainter due to its immense distance.
This ‘blue giant’ star is roughly 250 light-years from Earth, with a mass 11.43 times greater and a radius 7.5 times larger than our Sun.
Finding Spica in the Night Sky
To locate Spica, first identify the Big Dipper or Plough constellation. Trace the arc of the Dipper’s handle outwards to find the bright orange star Arcturus. Continue along the same curved path, and the next prominent bluish star you encounter in the constellation Virgo will be Spica.
However, this Saturday, observing Spica in alignment with the micromoon will be exceptionally straightforward due to their close proximity in the sky.
Mr. Foster advises, ‘The Moon will be rising from the eastern horizon at approximately 8 pm BST on the 12th, ascending higher and moving westward throughout the evening.’
He adds, ‘It will be prominently visible, so provided the weather is clear, simply facing roughly south should provide an enjoyable view.’
Weather Considerations for Stargazing
The moon and Spica are expected to be closest around 10:00 BST, when the sky should be sufficiently dark for optimal viewing.
Allow your eyes time to adapt to the darkness to discern more details on the lunar surface, even with the moon’s brightness. While binoculars or a telescope are not essential, using them will enhance your viewing experience of the micromoon.
Unfortunately, weather conditions across the UK on Saturday might pose a challenge for stargazing. Cloud cover is expected to be widespread, with rain predicted for parts of Northern England and Scotland.
A Met Office Spokesperson informed MailOnline, ‘Currently, we anticipate fairly extensive cloud cover by Saturday evening as a small, shallow low-pressure system brings scattered showers.’
However, those in the East of England may have better luck with potential breaks in the cloud forecast around 10:00 BST.
Missed It? Next Full and Supermoons
If you happen to miss this week’s pink micromoon event, the subsequent full moon will be the Flower Moon on May 12th.
For supermoon enthusiasts, the next supermoon will be the Hunter’s Moon, occurring later in the year on October 7th.