Look up! Monday’s night sky has first of two 2021 supermoons

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – On Monday night, we’ll see the first of two supermoons for 2021.

The supermoon will be in the sky in South Florida at moonrise Monday, April 26, at 7:45 p.m., but the peak will be around 11:32 p.m. when it becomes officially becomes full.

According to NASA Science, the term “supermoon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 and refers to either a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is within 90% of perigee, its closest approach to Earth.

The moon’s closeness to Earth makes it look extra-close and super bright – up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a normal full moon at its farthest point from Earth.

You may hear the April supermoon called the Pink Moon, but it’s won’t be because of its color. It is named after a plant, the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox, or mountain phlox.

The plant is native to the eastern United States and is one of the earliest widespread flowers of spring, and the supermoon coincides with the blooming of the flower.

If you don’t get a chance to see the supermoon Monday, get ready for an even bigger one on May 26.