April 8, 2025

April’s full moon is commonly nicknamed, the Pink Moon, a tribute to Spring as early blooming pink wildflowers, native to eastern North America, coat the ground like blushing moss. Also noting spring and warmer weather are the Algonquin’s April full moon name, “Breaking Ice Moon,” and the Dakota reference, “Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable.” In a year when the Allegheny River more than once glazed with ice, these descriptive names mirror modern experiences.

On April 12, the night of the full moon, the silvery gleaming orb will appear to be remarkably close to the blue-white star, Spica. Sparkling Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, and its appearance signals the start of the growing season. Long before electricity and contemporary timekeeping, people looked to the heavens to mark seasonal reminders.

Spica, the name translating to wheat or grain, is actually a double star that appears as one from Earth’s distance of 250 light years away. Spica A and Spica B are very close together, only about eleven million miles apart, and their orbital period is just four days. Their extreme proximity and rapid orbits distort each star into elongated shapes, like eggs, with the narrowest ends pointing towards each other. The luminosity of the whirling binary system makes Spica the 15th brightest star and a stunning companion to the full moon.

Are you as fascinated by the night sky as we are?

Join us for SkyWatch: Carnegie Science Center’s monthly opportunity to catch a glimpse of the stars with professional telescopes. Get a great view of the Pittsburgh skyline as you stargaze with other space enthusiasts. Plus, watch a feature show at the Buhl Planetarium and participate in fun, astronomy-themed activities.