The Pink Moon, also known as the Paschal Moon, is rising on Saturday, April 12, and will reach its peak illumination at 8:22 p.m. ET. This full moon is special because it will appear slightly smaller and dimmer in the night sky due to its farthest point from Earth, also known as apogee, making it a micromoon. The Pink Moon is the first full moon of the official spring season and has religious significance, helping to determine the date for Easter. Some key facts about the Pink Moon include: * The moon will rise in the Rochester area at approximately 7:49 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and set at 6:14 a.m. on Sunday, April 13. * The Pink Moon won't appear pink, but rather gets its name from the early spring bloom of creeping phlox, a pink flower found in parts of eastern North America. * The full moon has other names, including the sprouting grass moon, the egg moon, and the fish moon, signifying the time when shad, a fish found along the Atlantic Coast, begin to spawn. The Virtual Telescope Project will provide a free online livestream of the Pink Moon, allowing viewers to watch it from the comfort of their homes. The livestream will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, as the moon reaches its full phase. Other celestial events are taking place this month, including: * The Lyrids meteor shower, which will peak on April 21-22. * A waning crescent moon will create a triangle with Venus and Saturn, creating a lopsided celestial smile about 30 minutes before sunrise on April 25. * The closest new supermoon of the year arrives on April 27, with the moon being 221,917 miles from Earth, nearly 17,000 miles closer than the moon's average distance. The Pink Moon is a significant event for astronomers and space enthusiasts, and its unique characteristics make it a fascinating sight to behold. With the help of the Virtual Telescope Project, people can watch the Pink Moon live online and experience the beauty of the celestial event.