The arrival of April also means a special full moon will appear in the sky above Milwaukee.
The full moon happening April 1 is known as the “pink” moon, though be warned: it won’t actually be pink. The ‘pink’ descriptor refers to a new bloom of moss phlox, a pink wildflower native to the eastern and central United States, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Still, the “pink” moon will appear larger and brighter than a normal moon, with brightness peaking just after sunset.
Here’s what to know about viewing the April 1 full moon in Wisconsin.
When will the ‘pink’ moon be visible in Milwaukee?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says the “pink” moon will be at its fullest and brightest at 9:12 p.m. CT.
However, clouds could obscure the view from Milwaukee, where the sky chart predicts about 20% of the sky will be covered by clouds between 8 and 9 p.m.
When the moon is closer to the horizon, it appears larger because our eyes compare it to closer reference points, such as trees or buildings.
What does the ‘pink’ moon mean?
The “pink” moon is an important signifier ahead of the Easter season because it is used to set the date for Easter, as well as Lent, Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac started naming full moons in the 1930s, taking inspiration from traditional names. The almanac says “pink” was chosen due to the significance of moss phlox, an early blooming flower that historically marks the beginning of a new growing season.
More local to Wisconsin, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation calls the April full moon the maple sugar moon. Maple tree harvesting season is short and tapping trees for syrup typically ends in April.
The Ojibwe, a western Anishinaabe community in and around northern Wisconsin, refer to the April full moon as the boiling sap moon or the loon moon.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When is the next full moon? What to know about the ‘pink’ moon in Wisconsin
Reporting by Caden Perry, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
