April's full moon will soon light up the sky in Scotland - and it's the biggest one of the year.
The Full Pink Moon - as it is called by folklore tradition - will appear on Tuesday, April 27 and will appear larger and brighter in the night’s sky due to its proximity to Earth.
In some spots of the world, the supermoon might even appear pink giving skygazers the perfect opportunity to capture some dazzling photos.
It will also be this year's most spectacular full moon, followed by May's.
Here's everything you need to know about April's supermoon:
When is the Full Pink Moon in 2021?
April's Full Pink Moon will reach peak illumination in the UK on the morning of Tuesday, April 27.
In Scotland, the moon will rise at 7.28pm on 26 April and set at 6.04am on 27 April. You can find out the timings for anywhere in the world with this moonrise and moonset calculator.
You can still view an almost-full moon two or three days before and after that date, and it will appear full to the naked eye.
What is a supermoon?
The term 'supermoon' is not scientific and is relatively recent, coined by an astrologist in 1979.
It has gained popularity in the last two decades, because a full moon can appear up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter.
'Supermoon' is either a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is within 90% of perigee, its closest approach to Earth.
In 2021, the four full moons from March to June can be considered supermoons, with April's and May's ones being the closest to Earth.
Why is it called the 'Pink Moon'?
The Pink Moon 'heralds the coming of spring', and gets it name from one of the first spring flowers.
In particular, it comes from a certain wildflower native to eastern North America, Phlox subulata, commonly called creeping phlox, moss phlox or “moss pink.” that blooms in early spring.
Full Moon names come from the lunar month in which they occur, and originated from a mix of Native American, Colonial American, and European traditions.
