Pink Moon may appear alongside a historic rocket launch from Florida’s coast.
People visiting Florida’s Space Coast on Wednesday to witness the Artemis II launch could also get an extra treat—a full moon lighting up the sky.
Known as the “Pink Moon,” this full moon doesn’t actually look pink. Its name comes from pink phlox wildflowers that typically bloom across North America during this time of year. It marks the fourth full moon of 2026.
Reports suggest the moon will reach its peak fullness at approximately 10:13 p.m. on Wednesday and will be most visible in the eastern sky as it rises. It is also expected to remain bright and nearly full on Thursday.
Skywatchers along Florida’s east coast might even catch a glimpse of the moon at the same time as the Artemis II launch.
The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts on a journey around the moon, serving as the first crewed test flight of the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday evening, with a two-hour launch window beginning at 6:24 p.m.
Looking ahead, the next full moon—called the “Flower Moon”—will occur on May 1. Another full moon will follow on May 31, known as a “Blue Moon.”
