HOW AND WHEN TO CATCH APRIL'S 'PINK' SUPERMOON

A dazzling “pink” supermoon — the first of two supermoons in 2021 — is set to illuminate our skies at the end of this month.

Although full moons take place about once a month, this one on Monday, April 26, will be particularly special because it will beam about seven per cent larger and about fifteen per cent brighter than usual, enthuses the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Because the moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, and because the Earth doesn't sit directly in the middle of this elliptical orbit, there are moments in the year when the moon orbits closest to Earth. When that moment coincides with a full moon, it creates a supermoon.

The moon will be visible after sunset and reach peak illumination at 11:33 p.m. ET on April 26. It will appear full for about three days around this time, from Sunday night through Wednesday morning.

But despite its colourful name, April's Pink Moon will actually have the classic golden hue rather than a cotton-candy vibrancy, the Old Farmer's Almanac said.

Nonetheless, it will be a sight to see, with the supermoon gleaming gold near the horizon and fading to bright white as it glides upward in the sky.

To catch a good glimpse of this phenomenon, the almanac suggests finding an open area to watch the moon rise. The farther away from city lights, the better.

This full moon will also be the first of two supermoons for 2021, with the second occurring on May 26.