The cosmos is lining up a dazzling one-two punch for stargazers this week as April’s full Pink Moon converges with the annual Lyrid meteor shower.
While April’s solar eclipse may have captured recent headlines, there are still plenty of reasons to keep your eyes on the night sky over the next few days. The Pink Moon will reach its peak fullness at 7:49 pm ET on Tuesday, April 23rd.
Despite its name, there’s no actual rosy hue – though the moon may take on an orange tint when it rises due to atmospheric conditions refracting colors. The “Pink” moniker stems from Native American folklore, referring to the early spring blooms that emerge this time of year.
But the real excitement begins just before the Pink Moon reaches fullness, as the Lyrid meteor shower is expected to hit its peak productivity in the overnight hours leading into April 22nd. According to NASA, the Lyrids have been observed by humans for over 2,600 years, originating from debris left by the long-period Comet Thatcher.
Under ideal dark sky conditions, observers could see between 10-15 meteors per hour streaking across the sky as Earth passes through the comet’s dusty trail. The Lyrids tend to produce bright meteors with a high percentage of persistent trains or ionized gas clouds.
For avid skywatchers, it’s a celestial double feature not to be missed. The Pink Moon will shine at its brilliant best all night long in the Americas, while the Lyrids provide fleeting but dazzling bursts.
Those hoping to catch the cosmic show should make plans to avoid light pollution and scan the skies regularly after nightfall. With no special equipment needed, it’s an accessible event to help kick off an exciting spring skywatching season.
