Aimee Walker
A rare strawberry moon will light up the sky this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about it, from what it is to when you can spot it…
Over time, different cultures have given names to the full moons. In certain Native American tribes, they would be named as a way of time tracking.
The Royal Museums Greenwich reports that although the moon names may differ from tribe to tribe, there are usually 12 or 13 full moons yearly.
The names range from the worm moon to the beaver moon, each having a specific reason behind its title.
And in June it’s the strawberry moon, one of the most highly anticipated.
So here’s everything you need to know about it, from why this year’s is so special to how to spot it:
What is a strawberry moon?
The origin of the strawberry moon’s name has nothing to do with its appearance. Although some reports state it may have an orange-red hue.
The Old Farmers Almanac, which began publishing the names of full moons in the 1930s, says some Native American tribes named the full moon a ‘strawberry moon’ to match the short harvest season for strawberries.
The alternative old European term is the ‘honey moon,’ as honey is often harvested around the end of June, as per NASA.
Other names include the Blooming Moon and Green Corn Moon, while tribes in the Pacific Northwest call it a ‘baby moon,’ ‘laying moon,’ or ‘hatching moon,’ as many baby animals are born around this time of year.
Why is this year’s strawberry moon special?
This year, the full moon will coincide with the summer solstice, the day the sun is at its highest for the year and the day the moon is at its lowest.
Old Farmers Almanac reports that the moon will be the lowest we’ve seen in years and as it will be so low, it’ll appear bigger than ever. It’s called the ‘Moon Illusion.’
When can I see this year’s strawberry moon?
NASA reports that this year’s strawberry moon will appear on the evening of June 21 at 9:08 p.m. EDT. The space agency says it will appear full for around three days.
Times the moon will be visible will vary by time zone – you can check local times on the Moonrise and Moonset calculator and Timeanddate.com/astronomy.
How to spot the full strawberry moon
To get the best view, you should go somewhere high up that faces east or an east-facing coast. This will give you a clear view of the horizon.
Unaided eyes are fine, however, binoculars will give you an even closer look at the captivating sight.
Related Article: The Moon Is Drifting Away From Earth And It’s Having A Major Impact On Time
Related Article: People Are Only Just Learning Why You Can Sometimes See The Moon During The Day
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
