Pink moon 2026: when to see April’s full moon and why it won’t look pink in the sky

Skywatchers will have a chance to see the pink moon 2026 this week as April’s full moon rises in the night sky.

The moon is set to peak at 10:11 PM ET on Wednesday, according to Time and Date.

Despite its name, the moon will not appear pink and will instead glow in its usual grey tones.

The name comes from a seasonal wildflower, Phlox subulata, also known as moss pink, which blooms in early spring across parts of North America, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

According to EarthSky, NASA scientist Noah Petro said the moon may appear full for several nights: “Full moons are visible to those in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, as they are considered to be in the full moon phase up to 12 hours before and after their peak.”

“The darker the environment, the more you can enjoy the event,” he said.

The pink moon also coincides with a launch for NASA’s Artemis II mission, which aims to send astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.