by Sean McGarry
A spectacular Pink Supermoon that took place Tuesday morning.
Retrieved from 604now
A pink ball of fire soared through the depths of the sky early Tuesday morning. Did you witness it? No, you were most likely sleeping, but you might’ve heard of the rarity that came with the coloring of the moon on that day. Generally, it is referred to as the Pink Supermoon because of its resemblance to the pink flower known as a wild ground phlox. From our perspective in the United States, it actually appeared to be more of a vibrant white color, but that does not limit the fact that it microscopically turned a different shade. Though it may still seem far, this instance actually marked one of the closest encounters the moon has had with Earth, coming within about 200,000 miles.
What exactly is a Supermoon, and why is it significant? Supermoons, which usually occur triannually, are known for being 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than the usual face of the moon, according to the Washington Post. Because of its proximity, the moon needs to cover the atmosphere fully, an easier feat when higher overhead. Blue and yellow wavelengths are dispersed, thus creating a visibly pink color.
Is this the only Supermoon of the year? Scientists are projecting the U.S. to see a total of two Supermoons in the coming months. The first will be in May, in which The Guardian proclaims, “When the Earth is lined up between the sun and the moon, we get a full moon. But next month’s full moon — which will also be a supermoon — will see the satellite pass through the Earth’s shadow for a total lunar eclipse visible in east Asia and Australia as well as across the pacific and Americas.” Because this next one will give off an extremely bright shine, it will be a radiant red, rather than pink.
Did people in other countries witness the Pink Supermoon? Yes, but it was more clear and defined depending on the geographic location. Below are a couple breathtaking pictures:
Camii Mosque, Istanbul. Retrieved from RepublicWorld
Paris, France. Retrieved from RepublicWorld
Sources
Pink Supermoon 2021: Is it actually pink and how to see it - CBBC Newsround. (2021, April 27). BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56889657
Samenow, J. (2021, April 26). Monday night presents the ‘pink’ supermoon, the second brightest of the year. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/04/26/supermoon-pink-moon-monday/
3. Readfearn, G. (2021, April 27). Why is tonight’s full moon called a pink supermoon? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/apr/27/why-tonight-full-super-moon-called-pink-supermoon