Strawberry Moon 2021: Here's How to Watch Last Super Full Moon This Year

Skywatchers will be able to observe June's full moon, often known as the strawberry moon, on Thursday, June 24.

The Algonquin tribes of North America are supposed to have coined the term "strawberry moon," NASA said.

NASA's Gordon Johnston, who writes monthly articles on lunar activity and other skywatching opportunities, said the Maine Farmer's Almanac initially made the 'Indian' names for the full moons in the 1930s.

"According to this Almanac, as the full moon in June and the last full moon of spring, the Algonquin tribes called this the strawberry moon. The name comes from the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries in the northeastern United States," he said per SciTechDaily.

Why Is It Called Strawberry Moon?

According to some studies, the term may refer to the moon's color at this time of year since the full moon is closest to the summer solstice shines through more atmosphere than at other times of the year, making it more likely to have a reddish color, at least for northern regions of Europe.

The light that passes through more of the Earth's atmosphere appears red, which is why sunrises and sunsets have such a distinctive hue.

Meanwhile, the full moon in June is known by a variety of other names. The mead moon or honeymoon is an old European name for it, referring to an alcoholic fermentation process.

The full moon in June is also known as the berries ripen moon, the hot moon, and the egg-laying moon, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

How Can You Classify A Super Full Moon?

Newsweek said there are no official rules when classifying a moon as a supermoon. Different publications have varying definitions for it, too. In general, the term refers to a moment when the moon is both full and quite close to the Earth in its orbit.

But NASA explained that a full moon "that comes within at least 90 percent" of its closest approach to our planet is considered a supermoon. TimeAndDate.com said Super Full Moon takes place when the moon is near its closest approach to Earth — less than 223,694 miles from Earth's center.

How To Watch The Supermoon?

The full moon will technically occur around 7:40 p.m. UTC (3:40 p.m. EDT) next week. However, full moons can appear full for up to three days to the naked eye, according to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Gianluca Masi, the founder of Europe's Virtual Telescope Project, has said that he will broadcast a live stream of the strawberry moon rising above Rome. He claimed that it would be the last supermoon of 2021.

In any case, the Virtual Telescope Project stream, which is slated for 3:00 p.m. EDT, can be viewed on the project's website.

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