Pink Moon Tonight: Exact Times, Where to Look, and Live Streams for April 2025’s Stunning Lunar Show

Skywatchers are in for a subtle but beautiful treat as April’s Full Pink Moon rises tonight, 12 April 2025. Despite the rosy nickname, the lunar disk will glow its usual silvery white; the name comes from the blooming pink phlox that marks early spring in North America. When and where to look • Peak illumination occurs at 8:22 p.m. EDT (00:22 UTC on 13 April), but the moon will appear full all night. • U.S. rise times vary by region—for example, New York City 7:42 p.m. EDT, Chicago 7:55 p.m. CDT, Los Angeles 7:12 p.m. PDT. • In London the Pink Moon crests at 01:22 BST on 13 April; in Sydney it rises at 10:27 a.m. AEST on 13 April, lingering high before dawn. A micromoon This is 2025’s smallest full moon, occurring just days after the moon reached apogee, its farthest point from Earth. The lunar disk will appear about 14 percent smaller and slightly dimmer than October’s upcoming “super” Hunter’s Moon. Why the Pink Moon matters • Paschal Moon: As the first full moon after the March equinox, tonight’s lunar phase sets the date for Easter, which falls on 20 April this year. • Cultural lore: Many Indigenous North American tribes saw this moon as a signal to plant crops; others call it the Sprouting Grass, Egg, or Fish Moon. • Astrological flavor: Rising in Libra, the Pink Moon is said to spotlight balance, partnerships, and harmony, encouraging spring-cleaning of relationships. Pairing with the night sky The Pink Moon shares the sky with bright Spica in Virgo just a few degrees to the moon’s upper right at mid-evening. Mars glows low in the east before dawn, while the Lyrid meteor shower begins ramping up—watch for early shooting stars after midnight later this week. Viewing tips • Give yourself an unobstructed eastern horizon; city dwellers can head to a rooftop, park, or waterfront. • Use binoculars for crisper crater views; even at micromoon size, lunar maria and the bright rays of Tycho will stand out. • Smartphones on “night mode” can capture surprising detail—steady them on a tripod or against a railing. Weather not cooperating? Most planetariums and online observatories will livestream the rise; search “Pink Moon livestream” to join in. Whether for astronomy, photography, or a moment of spring reflection, tonight’s Pink Moon offers a gentle reminder of the season’s renewal—no rose-tinted glasses required.