Pink moon on the rise puts on show in night sky, signals spring

A pink moon rises, but it is not the Full Pink Moon getting ready to make a showing this week, in fact this week’s first full moon of April may not appear pink at all. It’s just called a Pink Moon because it signals the start of spring and the wildflower season.

The first full moon of spring, called the Full Pink Moon, is getting ready to put on a show in the night sky this week, but it may not be exactly pink.

It's called a pink moon because it usually signals the blossoming of the pink wildflower known as ground phlox, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The moon is also known as the Egg Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon, Easter Moon and Fish Moon.

The names come from the early Colonial settlers, who learned them from the Native Americans. They used the lunar cycle and lunar months to keep track of time and the seasons.

The moon reaches peak fullness on Tuesday at 2:08 a.m. Eastern Time and Monday night at 11:08 p.m. Pacific Time, according to Space.com, but will be visible everywhere until Wednesday.