The full moon on Tuesday night, June 10, will put on a stunning show, staying visible through the early hours of Wednesday, June 11. This particular moon will be the lowest full moon in the sky in nearly 20 years.
Why It’s Called the Strawberry Moon
The June full moon is traditionally known as the Strawberry Moon. This name comes from Native American traditions, which linked it to the season when wild strawberries were ready to be picked. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name has nothing to do with the moon’s color — it’s simply connected to the fruit’s harvest time.
Best Way to See the Strawberry Moon
To enjoy the clearest view, it’s best to head away from city lights. Try to find an open space with a clear view of the eastern horizon — a hilltop or a rural area would be ideal. Tall buildings or trees in cities can block your view.
You can also use online tools such as The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s moonrise calculator to find out exactly when the moon will rise in your location.
There’s even a chance you might spot a tint of red or pink. “So there’s a chance it will actually look a little bit reddish or pink, and, and so that may also be part of the origin of the name,” said Chris Palma, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State University, during a conversation with AccuWeather.
When to Look Up
The moon will appear full as it begins to rise on the evening of June 10. However, it will reach its maximum brightness at 3:44 AM ET on Wednesday, June 11.
Why This Moon Sits So Low in the Sky
If the moon seems lower than usual, there’s a scientific reason behind it. “It’s all about the inclination of the moon’s orbit, which undergoes an 18.6-year cycle,” explained John Jardine Goss from EarthSky, as quoted in USA Today.
He added, “The cycle happens because the moon’s orbit is being slowly dragged around – mostly due to the pull of the sun – every 18.6 years.”
Because of this orbital tilt, the moon appears lower in the sky. Its light travels through more of Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters blue light and lets warmer colors like orange and red stand out more vividly.
