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April's Pink Moon kicks off a month of changing skies over Spain
The full moon, a pitch-black sky and everything in between: your guide to April's lunar cycle
April is shaping up to be a good month for anyone who enjoys watching the night sky in Spain, kicking off with a full moon on Thursday April 2 and running through all four of the moon's main phases before the month is out.
The Pink Moon
The month's headline lunar event comes right at the start, with the full moon arriving in the early hours of April 2 at 4.12am. This one goes by the name of the Pink Moon, a title rooted in ancient North American traditions linked to the arrival of spring and the blossoming that comes with it.
Before you set your alarm and head outside expecting a rose-tinted sky though, it's worth knowing that the moon won't actually turn pink. It'll look much as it always does, although if you catch it low on the horizon you might notice it taking on a slightly orange hue, which is simply the effect of Earth's atmosphere bending the light.
Why does the moon change at all?
The phases we see each month happen because the moon orbits the Earth while being lit by the Sun. As its position changes relative to ours, the portion we can see illuminated shifts gradually from nothing to fully lit and back again. The whole cycle takes around 29.5 days, which is why the dates shift slightly from one month to the next.
The full lunar calendar for April 2026
After the full moon on April 2, the month continues with the last quarter on April 10 at 6.52am, when the moon appears as a half-lit disc in the sky. By April 17 the new moon arrives at 1.52pm, at which point the moon sits roughly between the Earth and the Sun and becomes almost invisible. That makes it the best time of the month for stargazing, with the darker skies allowing fainter objects to become much more visible.
The cycle then closes out with the first quarter moon on April 24 at 4.31am, when roughly half the moon is illuminated once again.
It's one of the oldest reliable rhythms in the natural world, and April gives you a particularly good excuse to pay attention to it.
Address
Casas del Puente 3, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain, 30397Tel: +34 623 140 902
The Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation has star-themed events and activities to delight novices and experts of all ages
Astronomy Tours runs a whole host of astronomical activities and events in the Murcia Region, from astronomical observation sessions to a magical cruise under the stars, to really fire up an interest in the cosmic world beyond our atmosphere.
Their main base of operations is the Finca Astronomica, located close to the town of La Aljorra in the Campo de Cartagena, where you can join their astronomy tours either in the daytime or at night, all year round.
At the Finca, you’re welcomed with delicious food, drinks, a bonfire and a variety of astronomical tools and gadgets. In the summer season, they also have tours in other locations, including San Pedro del Pinatar, La Manga and Camposol, not to mention their unmissable cruise under the stars, which involves a nighttime cruise on the Mar Menor with tapas and drinks, plus a guided presentation of the night sky as you watch the galaxy glide by.
The Astronomy Tours and the Finca Astronomica are supported by the Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation, which was founded in 2019 by a group of astronomers and Starlight-certified guides and monitors in the astronomical observatories in Spain.The purpose of the Foundation is to promote the knowledge and interest in the field of astronomy and astronomy-related sciences, which covers areas such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, but also history, archeology, urban and medical aspects of social life, literature, art, culture and (of course) astrology.
By promoting this knowledge and getting their customers interested in astronomy, the Foundation hopes to achieve higher goals such as bringing the stars a little closer to people, and helping them to understand the importance of caring about our planet and the whole human population as a one.
To achieve those goals, the Foundation organises its day- and nighttime activities and camps which are suitable for both children and adults, and as well as this they work with 
schools and organisations and write books for children to bring astronomy to the masses.
schools and organisations and write books for children to bring astronomy to the masses.As part of this mission, they’re creating an astronomically themed park right on the Costa Cálida called the Astronomy and Science Centre which has an observatory available to the public to see the stars and the planets, and where they also promote ecofriendly and sustainable activities and closeness to nature.
The Finca Astronomica even has its own friendly and well cared for animals which live in really big spaces where people can easily enter and interact with them in their own environment.
What’s more, you can get involved in all sorts of other fun and activities for all the family at the Finca Astronomica, including glamping under the stars, stroking the animals at their petting zoo and enjoying sports like darts, archery, nerf gun fights, and many more.
This year, Finca Astronomica is excited to unveil its very own Yurt Village. Alongside the beautifully crafted wooden glamping pods, the yurts combine traditional charm with all the modern comforts including double beds, cosy carpets and plenty of shelving for your personal belongings.
But that’s not all. Each yurt comes handily equipped with light and electricity, so that you can charge your devices even as you recharge your spirit under the vast, starry sky.
This summer season is about to come alive with regular tours happening three days a week, while Adult Only Fridays are just around the corner.
Tours are available in English, Spanish and Polish.
