For anyone that has a fascination with space and the cosmos, mark your calendars for April 19th this year, as a “pink moon” is set to rise in the night sky. People are getting excited about the lunar phenomenon, which promises to a fabulous color.

The lunar happening is named for wild ground phlox, which is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.

NASA has stated, “Other times the Moon seems to disappear entirely. As the bright parts of the Moon appear to change shape during the month, each stage of the change is called a phase and each phase carries its own name.”

Also, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the appearance of the pink moon was often used as a determination of the start of spring time. As the site quotes, “Native peoples once observed the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Time was not recorded by using the months of the Julian or Gregorian calendar.”

The site further adds that, “April’s full Moon is called the Full Pink Moon, heralding the appearance of the ‘moss pink’ or wild ground phlox — one of the early spring flowers. Other names include the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.”

With regards to the moon cycles, and how its appearance goes through changes, NASA has explained, “We always see the same side of the Moon, because as the Moon revolves around the Earth, the Moon rotates so that the same side is always facing the Earth. But the Moon looks a little different every night. Sometimes the entire face glows brightly. Sometimes we can only see a thin crescent.”

So who else will be keeping an eye peeled on the night sky for a glimpse of the pink moon? I know I’ll be on my balcony waiting for it to rise.