SINGAPORE: The Pink Moon – April’s full moon – made its appearance on Saturday (April 12) night, prompting many in Singapore to turn their lenses to the sky and share their images online.
This particular full moon was also a micromoon – a term used when the Moon is close to or at its farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear smaller and dimmer than usual.
Despite its name, the moon was not actually pink. The term comes from a wildflower known as Phlox subulata, or moss pink, that typically blooms in spring.
Also known as the Paschal Moon, it is the full moon used to determine the date of Easter.
In the Facebook group CloudSpotting and SkySpotting Singapore, a community where skywatchers here share images of weather phenomena, astronomical events and scenic skies, members posted a flurry of images of the full moon taken from the island.
Lester Neo shared images of the full moon on the group page, one of which featured the moon casting a reddish hue.
Ong Poh Kwan shared a view of the moon rising over Housing Board blocks, highlighting in her caption that the moon was not pink.
Yeo Mun Teck shared a more playful perspective – comparing the moon’s small, rounded shape to that of a teddy bear.
Meanwhile, The Astronomical Society of Singapore members Albert Lim, Tan Bee Ping and Hai Shu shared images of the moon peeking through clouds, trees and buildings, giving a grounded, local frame to the lunar sighting.
For those who missed the Pink Moon, the next full micromoon will occur on May 13, according to timeanddate.com.
- The Straits Times/ANN
