Summer is about to begin with a spectacular celestial display. This month’s full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, will reach its peak on Friday, June 21st, just one day after the summer solstice. It will shine brightly in the constellation Sagittarius, appearing full and luminous on Thursday, June 20th, and Saturday, June 22nd as well.
The full moon’s proximity to the solstice, marking the start of astronomical summer, has a noticeable visual effect. Because a full moon sits opposite the sun in relation to Earth, it mirrors the sun’s position in the sky. In June, especially around the solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the Northern Hemisphere. Its midday position on the solstice, June 20th this year, is the highest it will ever get. This causes the following day’s full moon to appear at its lowest point of the year. It’s also the farthest full moon from the sun throughout the year. This is because Earth’s slightly elliptical orbit around the sun takes it farthest away on July 5th. This point is Earth’s annual aphelion. Therefore, the closest full moon to this date must be the moon’s annual aphelion.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Strawberry Moon, rooted in Native American tradition, derives its name from the wild strawberries that ripen during this month. Other Native American names for June’s full moon include Berries Ripen Moon, Green Corn Moon, and Hot Moon. The Anishinaabeg, or Ojibwe, Indigenous people of the Great Lakes region call it Waabigonii Giizis (Blooming Moon), according to the Minnesota Historical Society. The Celtic names for the June full moon are Horse Moon, Dyan Moon, and Rose Moon, while other English names include Flower Moon, Planting Moon, and Mead Moon.
From North America, the ideal time to observe the full moon is on Friday, when it rises in the east very close to sunset. Consult moonrise and moonset times using online resources, and find a location with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. The next full moon, known as the “Buck Moon,” will grace the sky on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
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