If you’re outside tonight, look up.
A “Super Pink Moon” is set to illuminate skies across Ireland on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
A supermoon is a new or full moon closely coinciding with perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit.
When this occurs, the moon will appear around 30% brighter and 15% larger than when the moon is at its furthest point from the Earth.
The pink part of its name is derived from the Phlox subulata flowers that bloom in April in the US and Canada, so we’re sorry to say the moon will not, in fact, be pink.
The moon will take on its typical golden hue as it rises, then turn bright white as it climbs higher in the sky.
The April full moon may also be called the sprouting grass moon, the egg moon and the fish moon.
According to NASA, the full moon will be closest to Earth shortly after 3.30am on Wednesday morning so those looking to see it at its biggest and brightest will have to forego sleep for a little while.
But for everyone else, the moon will appear larger and brighter than normal tonight and over the next couple of days.
