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Pink Supermoon 2021: Is it actually pink and how to see it

Full moonImage source, AFP/Getty Images

A 'Pink Supermoon' lit up the skies on Monday night and it'll be seen across the UK this week.

The full moon appeared in all its glory in the early hours on Tuesday morning and it's the biggest and brightest of the year so far.

However, don't worry if you didn't get a chance to see it! The moon will appear full for a few more nights.

So what exactly is a Pink Supermoon and is it actually pink?

Newsround has everything you need to know.

Why is it called the Pink Supermoon?

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A full moon occurs every 29.5 days

This month's supermoon appeared bigger and brighter in the night's sky due to its closeness to Earth.

It passed within just 360,000km of Earth, making it the first supermoon of 2021.

But although April's full moon is known as the Pink Supermoon, don't expect it to look particularly pink!

Image source, Getty Images
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Pink Moon was named after phlox flowers

In many cultures, including Native American tribes, people named the full moons throughout the year as a way to keep track of time.

April's full moon named after pink flowers called wild ground phlox, which bloom in early spring and appear throughout the United States and Canada.

It is also called the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon in other parts of the world.

When will it appear in the night sky?

Image source, Peter Byrne
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The moon is already looking incredibly bright - this photo was taken in Staffordshire on 26 April

This month's supermoon rose on Monday 26 April and it could be seen at its fullest in the UK around 4am on Tuesday 27 April.

April's full moon is the first of two supermoons in 2021, with the next one taking place on 26 May.

But don't worry if you missed it! Experts say the moon will appear full to sky gazers for two more days.

The weather is predicted to be ideal for viewing the Pink Supermoon across most parts of the UK.

The Pink Supermoon around the world

The pink supermoon wasn't just visible in the UK. Beautiful snaps of the full moon were taken in lots of different countries including the US, Turkey and Cuba.

Image source, Getty Images
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Sky gazers in England headed to Glastonbury to catch a glimpse of the full moon

Image source, Getty Images
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The pink supermoon was also spotted at Stonehenge in Wiltshire

Image source, Getty Images
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The moon shone beautifully, illuminating the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York

Image source, Getty Images
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The moon was also captured rising over New York City

Image source, Getty Images
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The full moon was snapped in Istanbul in Turkey

Image source, Getty Images
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People admired the moon as it rose in Havana in Cuba