April 2026 full moon tonight: ‘Pink’ moon could rise alongside NASA Artemis II launch. Here’s when to look up

Today marks a big day here on earth and in space. Not only is April 1 the first day of the month, and April Fools’ Day, it’s also the day Apple was founded 50 years ago, and the same evening Artemis II launches its NASA’s mission to the moon, while April’s full pink moon rises in the night sky.

Here’s what to know about the full pink moon, and when and how to see it tonight.

Where does the ‘pink moon’ get its name?

This so-called “pink moon” gets its name from the wildflower phlox subulata, or “moss pink,” which blooms around this time each spring in North America, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

The Cherokee, Hopi, and Assiniboine indigenous communities have a number of other names for it, including: “kawohni,” or flower moon; “kwiyamuyaw,” or windbreak moon; and “tabehatawi,” or frog moon, per CNN.

However, its color is less bright pink than grey, and even may appear red or orange some places, the BBC reported.

What time does the April 2026 full moon peak?

Spring’s first full “pink moon” peaks tonight, Wednesday April 1, at 10:12 p.m. ET., just hours after the launch window opens for the Artemis II mission to the moon, according to Space.com.

How to view the April 2026 full ‘pink’ moon

To view the “pink moon,” look to the eastern horizon tonight at dusk, right after sunset. It will also be visible at that time on Thursday, April 2.

Here is a tool to determine moonrise and moonset times for your location, from Timeanddate.com.

Stay tuned: The next full moon of the year, the “flower moon,” will peak on May 1.