The night sky recently showcased a spectacular celestial event – April’s full “Pink Moon” – dazzling stargazers just hours before NASA’s Artemis 2 mission embarked on a 10-day journey to the far side of the moon. This lunar spectacle captivated observers worldwide, and photographers captured breathtaking images of the event.
What is a Pink Moon?
Despite its name, the Pink Moon doesn’t actually appear pink! The moniker originates from the blooming of the wild ground phlox, a pink wildflower that blossoms in early spring across North America. During a full moon, the lunar disk appears fully illuminated from our perspective on Earth, positioned opposite the sun in our sky.
Artemis 2 and the Lunar Connection
The 2024 Pink Moon rose as the Artemis 2 astronauts – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen – acclimatized to microgravity in low-Earth orbit. Mission Commander Wiseman remarked, “We have a beautiful moon rise, we’re headed right at it,” to ground control shortly after a powerful ascent through Earth’s atmosphere. This poignant moment connected the ancient wonder of the full moon with the cutting edge of modern space exploration.
Pink Moon over Brent Knoll, UK (Josh Dury) Pink Moon over Kennedy Space Center, Florida (Gregg Newton) Pink Moon over New York City (Lokman Vural Elibol) Pink Moon behind Empire State Building (Gary Hershorn) Pink Moon with Boeing 777 (Kirill Kudryavstev) Pink Moon over Buenos Aires (Luis Robayo) Detailed shot of the moon from Miami (Megan Briggs) Pink Moon with weathervane (Kirill Kudrayavtsev)
Billions of stargazers around the globe witnessed this lunar event, and countless photographers shared their stunning images. From the UK’s Brent Knoll to the bustling streets of New York City and the serene beaches of Venice Beach, the Pink Moon illuminated landscapes and cityscapes alike. If you missed the peak of the full moon, don’t worry – the lunar disk will remain nearly full for several nights to come.
Stay updated on the Artemis 2 mission with our daily breakdown and live blog. For tips on capturing your own lunar photos, check out our guide to photographing the moon and our recommendations for the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography.
Share Your Photos! If you’ve captured your own stunning images of the moon, send them to spacephotos@space.com for a chance to be featured!
