The Moon is becoming brighter, signaling the imminent arrival of a special full Moon known as the "Strawberry Moon." But it also comes with other unique names, such as Mead or Honey Moon, Rose Moon, Flower Moon, Hoe Moon, Hot Moon, Planting Moon, Poson Pya, Vat Purnima, and LRO Moon.
Read on to find out more details about June's full Moon.
The full "Strawberry supermoon" rises over Los Angeles, California on June 14, 2022. - The June full moon is named for the strawberry harvesting season (not the moon's colour) of the Alongquin Native American tribe from the northeast United States and eastern Canada.
Strawberry Moon: Origin and Color
As per the Old Farmer's Almanac, Native American tribes named this full moon the "Strawberry Moon" because it coincides with the wild strawberry season, particularly the Fragaria virginiana species found in the United States and parts of Canada.
It reaches its peak ripeness in June, making it perfect for picking. This fruit held significance for various tribes such as the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, Lakota, Chippewa, Oneida, and Sioux.
Throughout history, June's full moon has been called by different names. The Cherokee referred to it as the "Green Corn Moon," the Anishinaabe as the "Blooming Moon," and the Western Abenaki tribe as the "Hoer Moon." European names for this full moon include the "Mead Moon" and the "Honey Moon," which is associated with the Roman goddess of marriage.
Contrary to what one might think, the name "Strawberry Moon" doesn't refer to its color. However, when the moon is close to the horizon, it may appear slightly red due to the atmospheric light rays. This optical phenomenon can occur with any moon.
In 2023, the Strawberry Moon will be in the zodiac sign of Sagittarius, representing individuals born between November 22 and December 21. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, this full moon may ignite motivation and passion in some individuals while presenting obstacles for others.
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When Will Strawberry Moon Peak?
June's full moon will reach its peak illumination on Saturday at 8:43 p.m. PST, June 3, Fox 5 reported. But in some areas, it may appear on Sunday at 03:41 UTC. To determine the exact local time for your area, you can use a moonrise and moonset time calculator by entering your zip code.
The Moon will appear most impressive during the moonrise on Saturday, June 3, 2023, for observers in North America, Europe, or Africa. This will be close to sunset, but it's recommended to check the specific moonrise time for your location.
June's Strawberry Moon will mark the final full moon phase of the spring season, as the summer solstice falls on June 21. Following the start of summer on June 18, the new moon will emerge, and the subsequent full moon, known as the Buck Moon, will rise on July 3, according to data from the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Facts About the Strawberry Moon
Here are some facts about the upcoming Strawberry Moon this weekend as reported by Forbes:
- On June 4, 2023, there will be a perfect alignment of sunset and moonrise times, allowing the "Strawberry Moon" to be observed in the east as the Sun sets in the west.
- The Moon will appear low on the horizon in the northern hemisphere due to its orbit aligning with the ecliptic, the same plane as the Sun.
- The low-hanging Moon gives an illusion of appearing larger when it is near buildings, trees, or mountains. During summer, the Moon illusion is more noticeable as the Moon is closer to the horizon during its almost full phase.
- The Moon will appear orange as a result of Rayleigh scattering, where shorter wavelengths are scattered while longer wavelengths like yellow, orange, and red pass through the atmosphere.
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