Easter Full Moon and Stargazing: Astronomy Highlights in April – Guide

The first full moon of spring is also the “real” Easter moon this year!

Because: It is Easter Eve in Heaven. Professor Thomas W. Krupp, Astrophysicist and Director Hamburg Planetariumexplains what the moon has to do with Easter and why it shines with what is called the light of the earth at the end of the month.

In April, the moon completes a full light cycle from new moon to new moon. On April 16, he reached the site of the full moon.

“It’s the first full moon of spring,” says Professor Thomas W. Kraube. “Christian Easter is traditionally celebrated on the Sunday following it. This goes back to New Testament traditions about the resurrection of Jesus. So we are witnessing the Easter moon – which appropriately falls on the Saturday before Easter this year.”

Last year, the Easter moon occurred in March – shortly after the equinox and the change of seasons. This time the moon was in full moon setting in March two days before the astrological start of spring and farewell to winter.

Also, the date of Easter 2022 falls on April 17. This brings us quite close to the last possible date for the Christian holiday of April 25th.

More Astronomy Highlights in April

In addition to the Easter full moon, the April sky has other sights in store:

▶ ︎ Including beautiful trackers for the Lyrid meteor shower.

Meteor shower activity usually begins on April 16 and lasts until April 25. Unfortunately, meteorite rates are relatively low during this period – but on the night of April 22-23, the meteor shower reaches its maximum extent.

▶ ︎ If you are not lucky enough to spot a shooting star, pay attention to the moon again on April 26 and 27. On a clear evening, the unlit part of the moon glows an ash gray.

Professor Thomas W. Kraube explains: “The ‘Earth Glow’ or ‘Da Vinci’s glow’ comes from sunlight that our Earth reflects back to the Moon.” “As seen from the side of the moon facing us, the fully lit Earth stands in the sky near the new moon and lights up the moonlit night. Much like how it is with us at a full moon.”