Residents of the Lower Mainland were treated to a dazzling lunar display last night as a supermoon illuminated partly clear skies.
The Old Farmer's Almanac notes that the Pink Moon got its name from, "heralding the appearance of the “moss pink,” or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers." They note that Native peoples would give distinctive names to each reoccurring full moon to mark the change of seasons. As such, many of these names arose when Native Americans first interacted with colonialists.
With that being said, Space.com notes that the April full moon also goes by other names including the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Full Fish Moon.
Since the pink moon qualified as a 'supermoon,' it will look a whopping 15 per cent brighter and seven per cent bigger than a regular full moon due to its proximity to earth.
Have a look at some of the best shots of last night's brilliant supermoon.
Super moon right now from MacKenzie Heights. #yvr #Vancouver #supermoon pic.twitter.com/jQmFyPCJAF
— Meena Wong, 😷I’d wear #FaceMask if I’ve one (@meenawong1) April 8, 2020
Unusual to see @SichuanAir in golden hour light @yvrairport, @aircanada combo, to the West a spectacular sunset, to the East a pink #SuperMoon. #yvrspotters #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/HYawGo4CT3
— kent matthiesen (@kenters55) April 8, 2020
The #supermoon last night over #Vancouver! Photo by my sis, Anita Holler. pic.twitter.com/bzGlnFXW6k
— Jacqueline Samuda (@JSamuda) April 8, 2020
Super moon right now from MacKenzie Heights. #yvr #Vancouver #supermoon pic.twitter.com/jQmFyPCJAF
— Meena Wong, 😷I’d wear #FaceMask if I’ve one (@meenawong1) April 8, 2020
Beautiful #Supermoon from #Vancouver, #Canada. pic.twitter.com/4JBMvOLP0b
— Nemy Banthia (@nbanthia) April 8, 2020
Google Pixel 4 XL camera is amazing #NoFilter #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/7wHSmwxtKy
— Justin Prasad (@justinprasad221) April 8, 2020
Pink Moon making an appearance over False Creek. The largest supermoon of the year. #pinkmoon @CTVVancouver @CTVMorningLive pic.twitter.com/kZwyKv117y
— Jim Fong - Vancouver (@jimfong604) April 8, 2020
Every dusk thousands of Vancouver crows flock back to Burnaby to roost. They photobombed my photo of the #PinkSupermoon #fullmoon #supermoon #vancouver @FlyOverCanada pic.twitter.com/NkKlqnPaXB
— Claude Schneider #SMMW20 (@claudeschneider) April 8, 2020
Pink supermoon :) pic.twitter.com/JhE9o0hGmF
— Marx Wolf Werehouse (@Reweth) April 8, 2020
the supermoon said sapphic rights! https://t.co/PpN4qAZvCg
— ayanna (@BanaAyanna) April 8, 2020
The pink super moon framed by the #notredamepoplars
— June Hunter (@JH_Images) April 8, 2020
Such profound changes for us since the last full moon, let alone the last super moon.
But she shines on regardless. #pinkmoon #fullmoon #supermoon pic.twitter.com/BElnmFyxK3
Stargazers should opt to travel as far away from city lights as possible in order to avoid light pollution that will obscure the clarity of heavenly bodies. While this works best in more remote places, anywhere that has a higher elevation will also provide more ideal viewing conditions.