June's unique strawberry moon: When to see it and why its special this year
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Stargazers may be able to catch a glimpse of a unique full moon overnight Tuesday.
The 'strawberry moon' will rise in the night sky Tuesday, June 10, and is expected to reach its peak illumination by 3:44 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
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June's full moon gets its name from the Native American Algonquian tribes, who recognized that the moon's rise often coincided with the ripening of wild strawberries and signified the fruit was ready to be gathered.
The moon happens to also appear reddish in color due to it being at the lowest point in the horizon all year, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
The lower the moon is on the horizon, the redder it will appear, due to light rays having to pass through dense layers of the atmosphere.
Onlookers may be treated to an extra special sight this year. According to EarthSky, the moon will be at its lowest point in decades due to what's called a 'Major Lunar Standstill.' The last time the strawberry moon appeared this low in the sky was in 2006.
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