A full moon will rise Tuesday night that is different from the others. Known as the “Strawberry Moon,” June’s full moon will sit unusually low on the horizon and appear smaller and dimmer than usual.
The moon will reach peak fullness at 3:44 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, but it will be most visible to the naked eye just after sunset on Tuesday evening. Best viewing conditions will be in areas with clear skies and an unobstructed view of the horizon.
Why Is It Called the Strawberry Moon?
The name “Strawberry Moon” traces back to Indigenous tribes, including the Anishinaabe and Sioux, who associated the June moon with the ripening of seasonal berries. It does not refer to the moon’s color, which this year will likely appear golden due to its low angle.
The angle is a product of a major lunar standstill that is part of an 18.6-year cycle which alters how high or low the moon appears from Earth. This month’s moon will be the lowest full moon in the Northern Hemisphere since 2006.
The event won’t repeat until 2043.
The June full moon will also be a micromoon, meaning it will appear roughly 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than usual. This occurs when the moon is near apogee, the farthest point from Earth in its orbit.
Though not a supermoon, this Strawberry Moon will be positioned near the center of the Milky Way, adding to its visual appeal in darker skies. The galactic core is best viewed from June through August, often seen as a faint band arcing overhead.
Several planets will also be visible this month. Jupiter, Mars and Mercury may appear low in the western sky after sunset, while Venus will rise in the east just before dawn.
The next full moon, the Buck Moon, will appear on July 10.
Three supermoons are expected later this year in October, November and December.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.