(OMSI) The next full Moon will occur on Monday, April 26, 2021, at 8:32 p.m., and is known as the Full Pink Moon. It is also the first of two supermoons this year, which is a full moon that will appear to be slightly larger than average. Supermoons are not rare. At least two, or perhaps a half dozen, occur each year. So, this phenomenon is not unusual or unheard of.

On the evening of April 26, the moon will rise from the ESE at 7:57 p.m.. Seen from Portland, the moon will appear full at 8:32 p.m. when it is barely above SE horizon. Will be directly due south at 1:18 a.m. (Tuesday), and set at 6:36 a.m. (Tuesday).

On Tuesday, April 27, this 'supermoon' will be 23 degrees below the western horizon at perigee, or its closest distance to earth, at 8:22 a.m., at distance of 222,064 miles.

A full moon occurs in the middle of the lunar cycle of 29.5 days, and is recognizable by its near perfect spherical shape. Technically speaking, the full moon only lasts for about a second. This difference cannot be seen with the naked eye. Without a telescope, it is difficult to distinguish between a moon that is 100% illuminated and a moon that is 99% illuminated. While the Moon may only be 100% full for about one minute, it looks “full” for about three days. On Monday, the precise instant of full moon comes to pass at 8:32 p.m. when it is just barely above southeastern horizon.

Information courtesy of Jim Todd - OMSI