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Winter's Dawn: Celebrating the Solstice

The Winter Solstice, which occurred on December 21st, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, signaling the official start of winter. Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Julia Gomez from USA TODAY explore the significance of this astronomical event and how it is celebrated across different cultures. The solstice, occurring when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun, brings the least amount of daylight and the longest night. This year, the solstice fell on December 21st at 4:21 a.m. EST, marking the astronomical beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Historically, the Winter Solstice has been a time of celebration and reflection. Ancient civilizations, such as the Romans with their Saturnalia festival and the Norsemen with their bonfires, honored the return of the sun and the promise of longer days ahead. Today, people continue to observe the solstice with various traditions, including gatherings, feasts, and rituals that pay homage to the natural cycles of l...
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Look Up Tuesday Night for the Full Pink Moon

 

The Pink Moon is set to grace the night sky this week, and it’s a celestial event worth observing. On Tuesday night, precisely at 7:49 p.m. EDT, the Moon will be in its full phase, marking April’s Full Moon. However, according to NASA, observers will notice that the Moon appears full for approximately three days, from Monday morning through Thursday morning.

Why Is It Called the Pink Moon?

Contrary to what the name suggests, the Pink Moon isn’t named for the Moon’s color. Instead, it derives its name from wild ground phlox, also known as pink moss. This early-blooming wildflower is one of the first to grace the landscape in the US Northeast during spring. The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has been recording lunar names for close to a century, associated this April Full Moon with the pink blossoms of ground phlox.

Gibbous Phase and Observing Tips

While the Moon will appear full for several days, keen observers can still notice subtle differences. On Monday night and Wednesday night, focus on the Moon’s face a bit longer. You might observe that one side looks “fuzzy” compared to the crisp edge on the other side. This reveals that the Moon is actually in its Gibbous phase during those times. If you have binoculars or a telescope, it’ll be even easier to spot this phenomenon1.

So, mark your calendars and take a moment to appreciate the Pink Moon’s beauty as it graces our night sky this week!

Feel free to share this information with fellow stargazers and enjoy the celestial spectacle! If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask. 😊🌠1

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