Illustration of the Lyrids Meteor Shower. (via University of Hertfordshire)
Jakarta: The sky in April 2026 will be greeted with various beautiful astronomical phenomena that are full of meaning and that Indonesian people can enjoy with the naked eye, namely the appearance of the full moon. Pink Moon and the launch of the Lyrids Meteor Shower.
At the beginning of April, precisely Wednesday, April 1 2026, the phenomenon of the full moon phase is nicknamed Pink Moon will decorate the sky. Then, a historical event, namely one of the oldest meteor shower phenomena in history, the Lyrids Meteor Shower, will approach with an estimated peak falling on Wednesday, April 22 2026.
Phenomenon Pink MoonSpring Markers and Easter Dates
Fenomena Pink Moon. (via Local12)
Phenomenon Pink Moon will fall on Wednesday, April 1 2026, and is expected to reach its peak on Thursday, April 2 2026, at 09.11 WIB according to Time and Date. Indonesian people can enjoy the appearance of this phenomenon with the naked eye without having to use special astronomical equipment such as telescopes or binoculars.
Phenomenon Pink Moon is a phase of the full moon with significant, religious and historical meaning.
Not only is it the first sign of spring, but it also determines the date of Easter for Christians and Catholics. The nickname for this lunar phenomenon is often misunderstood; People who hear about this phenomenon for the first time might think that Pink Moon means the moon will appear in the sky with a light or pink appearance.
But in fact, this nickname is rooted in a wild flower from North America, Phlox subulata, a flower that blooms in early spring.
Phenomenon Pink Moon also has a meaning rooted in the traditions of Native American tribes. For the Algonquin tribe, this full moon phase is nicknamed the Breaking Ice Moon, meaning the ice melts with the arrival of spring.
Then for the Dakota tribe, this full moon is nicknamed Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable, meaning that it makes travel and transportation navigation on rivers easier in early spring.
Lyrids Meteor Shower, One of the Oldest Meteor Showers in Human History
The Lyrids Meteor Shower is a phenomenon when the Earth passes through a path of dust which is a legacy of Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). In the atmosphere, these small particles glow and burn so that they look like meteors hurtling through space.
The origin of the nickname Lyrids is also rooted in a constellation, Lyra, which is the center of the radiant appearance of meteors, although meteors are actually not only in one specific center but appear in all corners of the sky.
The peak of the Lyrids Meteor Shower is expected to fall on Wednesday, April 22 2026. In order to see this phenomenon optimally, it is best to observe this from a dark location and without light pollution, such as in the mountains, villages or beaches.
To really enjoy the experience, it’s best to leave your phone’s light on to help your eyes slowly adapt to the darkness for about 20–30 minutes.
The Lyrids Meteor Shower phenomenon is a significant event, both for enthusiastic astronomy fans and the wider public. As one of the oldest meteor showers in human history, this phenomenon is not worth missing. Moreover, people can enjoy it without special astronomical observation equipment.
(Odetta Aisha Amrullah)
