April’s full “Pink Moon” dazzled stargazers with a glorious display of moonlight on April 1st, mere hours before NASA’s Artemis 2 mission launched four astronauts on a 10-day journey to the far side of the moon.

What is the 'Pink Moon'?

The April full moon is also known as the Pink Moon in North America, a reference to the ground-blooming plant phlox, which flowers in early spring in regions of the U.S.

Artemis 2 and the Lunar Display

“We have a beautiful moon rise, we’re headed right at it,” said Artemis 2 mission commander Wiseman to ground control, minutes after the rocket launched through Earth’s atmosphere. The same moon rose over billions of stargazers across the globe, inspiring countless photographers to share breathtaking images of the lunar event.

Stunning Images from Around the World

Photographer Paul Dury captured the full Pink Moon looming low over the western horizon above a trio of crosses in Somerset, UK, using a 600mm telephoto lens on April 2nd. Dury noted the astronomical timing, linking the moon to the paschal full moon and the spring equinox.

Gregg Newton photographed the April full moon rising over the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1st, with the countdown clock displaying the time since the Artemis 2 launch.

From 925 miles away, Lokman Vural Elibol captured the moon glowing between the Empire State Building and another New York skyscraper. Gary Hershorn also photographed the skyscrapers with the moon passing behind the Empire State Building’s spire from Union City, New Jersey.

Kirill Kudryavstev captured a spectacular view of the full moon from Frankfurt, Germany, with a Boeing 777 jet crossing the lunar disk. Luis Robayo snapped an image of the moon over an obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a projection of the Artemis 2 rocket on the monument.

Detailed Lunar Views

Megan Briggs captured a detailed shot of the moon from Miami, Florida, on March 31st, revealing ancient lava fields and asteroid impact streaks. Kirill Kudrayavtsev created a contrasting image with the silhouette of a weathervane against the glowing moon.

J. David Ake photographed the moon above the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., while Apu Gomes captured the Pink Moon rising over Venice Beach, California, surrounded by palm trees.

Share Your Photos

Space.com invites readers to share their astrophotography by sending photos, comments, name, and location to spacephotos@space.com.