{"id":104644,"date":"2026-03-17T11:40:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T10:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/?p=104644"},"modified":"2026-03-17T11:40:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T10:40:31","slug":"the-full-moon-of-april-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.telescoop.nl\/en\/de-volle-maan-van-april-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Full Moon of April 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Pink Moon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to get a good look at the April 2026 full moon? Then you need to pay attention to the timing. In astronomy, the moon is only \u2018full\u2019 at one exact moment, but to us, it looks like a large illuminated disk three nights in a row. In April, we call this the Pink Moon. Spoiler: it doesn't actually turn pink, but it is the moment when spring really begins and we set the date for Easter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we dive into the facts. What time should you be outside? Why do we call it that? And how do you make sure you see more than just a bright white spot through your telescope?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facts at a glance (for the Netherlands and Belgium)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Courtesy of Starwalk.Space<\/a> we have listed the facts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you need to know?<\/strong><\/td>Details for 2026<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
Date peak<\/strong><\/td>Thursday, April 2, 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Exact time (100% full)<\/strong><\/td>10:12 a.m.<\/td><\/tr>
Best time to watch<\/strong><\/td>Evening of April 2 (from 8:15 p.m.)<\/td><\/tr>
Where is the moon?<\/strong><\/td>In the constellation Virgo (Virgo)<\/td><\/tr>
Link to Easter<\/strong><\/td>Defines Easter on Sunday, April 5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When should you be outside?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The astronomical peak of the full moon falls at 10:12 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026. That's during the day, so you won't see much then. The moment you really have to see your binoculars<\/a> must address is the evening of April 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An
Courtesy of Vito Technology, link<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Around 8:15 p.m., the moon rises in the east. This is often the best time for photographs. Because the moon is still low on the horizon then, it appears much larger than when it is high in the sky in the middle of the night. We call this the moon illusion. Your brain compares the moon to trees or houses on the horizon, making it seem like it is huge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is in the constellation Virgo that night. If you look closely, you'll see a bright dot near the moon: that's Spica, the brightest star in that constellation. With a simple beginner telescope<\/a> you can often even get them both in view at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is it called the Pink Moon (no, it does not turn pink)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let's dispel that fable immediately: the moon does not turn pink on April 2. The name comes from the \u2018Wild Ground Phlox,\u2019 a little pink flower that is one of the first to bloom in spring in North America. Native tribes used this type of natural phenomenon to keep track of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Europe, we often used to call this moon the Grass Moon or the Egg Moon. The latter makes sense because this moon determines when we celebrate Easter. The rule is: Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. Since the moon is full on Thursday, April 2, we celebrate Easter three days later, on Sunday, April 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So without this moon, we had no idea when to have Easter brunch. Want to learn more about how the phases of the moon affect our calendar? Then check out the sites of NASA<\/a> Whether the ESA<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viewing the Moon: Avoid being blinded<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people who buy a telescope for the first time make the same mistake: they point it at the moon during the full moon and are shocked at how bright the light is. The moon reflects buckets of sunlight. Without protection, all you really see is a bright white spot and your eyes get sore after a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a moon filter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you really want to see details in the craters, you have a moon filter<\/a> needed. This is basically a pair of sunglasses for your telescope. You simply screw the filter onto your eyepiece and it attenuates the bright light. As a result, you suddenly see contrasts you would never have seen otherwise. You suddenly see the halo around crater Tycho (those white stripes running across the moon) and the mountain ranges razor sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which telescope do you choose?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n