A ‘pink moon’ is due to rise on April 19 this year, lighting up the night sky with fabulous colours, and many people are excited about catching a glimpse of the strange lunar phenomenon.

The phenomenon is named after wild ground phlox, is one of the first flowers which bloom in spring.

NASA has previously explained the cycles of the moon and how its appearance changes, stating that: "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."

They added: "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."

Furthermore, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the appearance of the pink moon was often used to determine the start of spring. The site notes: "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."

It adds: "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."

A ‘pink moon’ is due to rise on April 19 this year, lighting up the night sky with fabulous colours, and many people are excited about catching a glimpse of the strange lunar phenomenon.

The phenomenon is named after wild ground phlox, is one of the first flowers which bloom in spring.

NASA has previously explained the cycles of the moon and how its appearance changes, stating that: "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."

They added: "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."

Furthermore, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the appearance of the pink moon was often used to determine the start of spring. The site notes: "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."

It adds: "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."