This weekend, Chicagoans looking for a bit of celestial fun should stare up at the sky to catch a beautiful pink "micromoon" that's likely going to be visible on Saturday night.
Unlike a blood moon, named after its sanguine hue, the pink moon doesn’t get its moniker from its tone. It also might be a bit trickier to see with the naked eye—but here is everything we know about the astrological event, including how to maximize your chances of witnessing it in all of its glory.
What is a pink micromoon?
Let's start with the basics.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac named April’s full moon after creeping phlox or moss phlox, a small pink flower that blooms in early spring and spreads across the ground in dense clusters like moss. Sometimes called Paschal, the moon will rise one week before Easter.
This year’s moon is also a micromoon. Stargazers may be familiar with a supermoon, which occurs when a full moon is closest to Earth during its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter. A micromoon, on the other hand, happens when the moon is furthest away from earth, a point known as its apogee. That means the moon may appear smaller and duller, though the difference will be subtle.
When will the micromoon be visible from Chicago?
A full pink moon will be visible from Chicago Saturday inght at 7:23pm, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. Visibility could be spotty, though, given partly cloudy skies giving way to full coverage as the night progresses. So make sure to look up in the early evening.
If you miss the celestial extravaganza, mark your calendar for May 12, when the next micromoon is scheduled to grace our skies.
Tips for seeing the micromoon from Chicago
Though light pollution and buildings across the city can obscure the beauty of the night skies, there are several spots in and around Chicago where you can find an unobstructed view of the micromoon.
Winds will be relatively low on Saturday, around 4 miles per hour, so it will be a good time to head out toward the lakefront and catch a beachfront view of the moon. The Exelon Observatory, located at the western edge of the 606 trail, features a whimsical spiraling hill that offers an excellent perch for stargazers.
If you can travel outside of the city, Cook County’s Palos Preserves is home to the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place. Drive a little over 30 minutes outside of the city to find the dark oasis. With only four buildings spread across its 6,662 acres, the Urban Night Sky Place emits nearly 1,000 times less light than downtown Chicago, making it an ideal viewing point.