10/04/2025
On April 12, 2025, the Full Moon, also known as the "Pink Moon," will be an exciting event as it will occult Spica, one of the brightest stars in the sky, located in the constellation Virgo. This blue giant, approximately 260 light-years away, will be briefly hidden by the Moon, offering a rare and beautiful celestial spectacle. The Pink Moon will reach its peak illumination at 8:22 p.m. EDT, though the occultation of Spica will be visible to observers in parts of Central and South America, as well as South Africa. This astronomical event is significant not just because of the moon's rarity, but also because the Pink Moon gets its name from the early spring bloom of the moss phlox flower, not its color. As the Moon obscures Spica, stargazers will have a unique opportunity to witness this interplay between our natural satellite and one of the brightest stars in the sky.