June’s full moon: the strawberry moon rises this Wednesday
On Wednesday, June 11, the strawberry moon will shine in the night sky. It’s the last full moon of spring and will appear slightly small and dimmer than usual, making it a micro moon.
While the moon reaches its brightest point at 3:44 am ET, but the best time to see it at your location is during rise. You need to look towards the eastern horizon for the clearest view.
The name “Strawberry Moon” comes from the Algonquin tribes of north-eastern Native America who used this full moon as a signal to know that wild strawberries were ready for harvest. By this name, the moon won’t look red or pink, the name is just traditional.
The strawberry moon appears just days before the summer solstice on June 20. Depending on the calendar, it marks either last full moon of spring or first of summer. Because it’s a micro moon, it will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than a typical full moon.
As it rises, the moon may appear yellow or orange due to light scattering in the atmosphere, adding to its beauty.
To see it, you can check your local moon-rise time using tools like the old farmer’s Almanac’s moon-rise calculator and can find a spot with a clear view to the east and enjoy the simple wonder of the night sky.
