April's Pink Moon Pairs with Bright Star Spica Tonight

Tonight, April 13, 2025, stargazers can look forward to witnessing the 'Pink Moon', which will ascend the southeastern horizon around 21:00 BST. This full moon is the fourth of the year and gets its name from the blooming of flowers that herald the arrival of spring, despite the moon's appearance being no more pink than usual. Adding to the spectacle, the bright star Spica, the most luminous star in Virgo and the 15th brightest overall, will gleam nearby. Interestingly, Spica is a binary star system, meaning what observers see as a single point of light is actually two stars orbiting each other. Tonight's full moon is also labeled a 'Pink Micro Moon', as it will appear smaller due to its timing with apogee—the point in the moon's elliptical orbit when it's farthest from Earth. Although it may seem diminutive and dimmer than usual, the difference is so subtle that it won't be perceptible to the naked eye. As we prepare to observe tonight's celestial events, it serves as an exciting reminder of the wonders of our universe and the intricate dance between celestial bodies. For anyone wishing to share their observations or photographs, contact details are provided for submissions to the Sky at Night Magazine.