When to see Strawberry Moon glow in 'major' phenomenon not seen for two decades
This month's full Moon is set for an unusual twist that won't be seen again for almost two decades. It will sit much lower in the sky due to a phenomenon known as a 'major lunar standstill', making it appear bigger and more orange .
A full Moon occurs when the lunar surface facing Earth is fully illuminated by the Sun. This happens roughly every 29.5 days, which is the duration it takes for the Moon to complete one whole lunar phase cycle.
The final full moon of spring in the northern hemisphere will illuminate UK skies on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 10-11). Traditonally known as the Strawberry Moon, it will be slightly different this year both in terms of position and colour.
What makes June's Strawberry Moon so special? UK watchers will see this year's Strawberry Moon sitting very low in the southern sky. Not only is it the lowest full Moon of the year, but the Moon hasn't been this low in the sky since 2006 – and it won't be again until 2043. This is due to an event that happens once every 18.6 years called the "major lunar standstill", reports the Manchester Evening News.
Throughout the Moon's nearly 20-year-long cycle, our lunar companion follows a unique, tilted orbit around Earth. As a result, it experiences events called major and minor lunar standstills. When these occur, the Moon rises and sets at its most extreme points on the horizon, so appearing unusually low or high in the sky.
During the Strawberry Moon, Earth will be nearing its greatest distance from the Sun in its orbit, whilst the Moon will also be as far from the Sun as it can be in its orbit around Earth. This will therefore result in a full Moon that one of the year's most distant from the Sun.
The Moon will also appear much larger than usual due to its proximity to the horizon, a phenomenon known as the "Moon illusion". As an added bonus for stargazers, it will be joined in the night sky by the bright red star Antares, often referred to as the "rival of Mars".
Will the Strawberry Moon appear red?
Not exactly. While it won't appear strawberry-red, the Moon is named after the wild strawberries that start to ripen during early summer, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
Each month's full Moon is given a unique nickname. For example, January's full Moon is known as the "Wolf Moon", and February's full moon is referred to as the "Snow Moon". For June, its full Moon is called the 'Strawberry Moon'.
However, this year's Strawberry Moon is special – it might even glow slightly orange or rusty red.
Since the Moon will be situated so close to the horizon, it might appear a rusty red or orange due to the effect of Earth's atmosphere and how it scatters light reaching the Moon.
Similar to a "Blood Moon" phenomenon seen during a partial lunar eclipse, sunlight filtered through the Earth's atmosphere scatters out most of the blue light, leaving red hues to reflect off the Moon's surface.
Best time to see the Strawberry Moon
The best time to see the Strawberry Moon will be at dusk on Wednesday night (June 11)
It will rise at 10.46pm BST and reach its full phase at 8.44am BST. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
The Moon will also appear through Tuesday night (June 10). However, as sunrise on Wednesday morning is around 4.45am, it will already be light when it reaches its full lunar phase.
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When to see Strawberry Moon glow in 'major' phenomenon not seen for two decades
This month's full Moon is set for an unusual twist that won't be seen again for almost two decades. It will sit much lower in the sky due to a phenomenon known as a 'major lunar standstill', making it appear bigger and more orange . A full Moon occurs when the lunar surface facing Earth is fully illuminated by the Sun. This happens roughly every 29.5 days, which is the duration it takes for the Moon to complete one whole lunar phase cycle. The final full moon of spring in the northern hemisphere will illuminate UK skies on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 10-11). Traditonally known as the Strawberry Moon, it will be slightly different this year both in terms of position and colour. What makes June's Strawberry Moon so special? UK watchers will see this year's Strawberry Moon sitting very low in the southern sky. Not only is it the lowest full Moon of the year, but the Moon hasn't been this low in the sky since 2006 – and it won't be again until 2043. This is due to an event that happens once every 18.6 years called the "major lunar standstill", reports the Manchester Evening News. Throughout the Moon's nearly 20-year-long cycle, our lunar companion follows a unique, tilted orbit around Earth. As a result, it experiences events called major and minor lunar standstills. When these occur, the Moon rises and sets at its most extreme points on the horizon, so appearing unusually low or high in the sky. During the Strawberry Moon, Earth will be nearing its greatest distance from the Sun in its orbit, whilst the Moon will also be as far from the Sun as it can be in its orbit around Earth. This will therefore result in a full Moon that one of the year's most distant from the Sun. The Moon will also appear much larger than usual due to its proximity to the horizon, a phenomenon known as the "Moon illusion". As an added bonus for stargazers, it will be joined in the night sky by the bright red star Antares, often referred to as the "rival of Mars". Will the Strawberry Moon appear red? Not exactly. While it won't appear strawberry-red, the Moon is named after the wild strawberries that start to ripen during early summer, according to the Farmers' Almanac. Each month's full Moon is given a unique nickname. For example, January's full Moon is known as the "Wolf Moon", and February's full moon is referred to as the "Snow Moon". For June, its full Moon is called the 'Strawberry Moon'. However, this year's Strawberry Moon is special – it might even glow slightly orange or rusty red. Since the Moon will be situated so close to the horizon, it might appear a rusty red or orange due to the effect of Earth's atmosphere and how it scatters light reaching the Moon. Similar to a "Blood Moon" phenomenon seen during a partial lunar eclipse, sunlight filtered through the Earth's atmosphere scatters out most of the blue light, leaving red hues to reflect off the Moon's surface. Best time to see the Strawberry Moon The best time to see the Strawberry Moon will be at dusk on Wednesday night (June 11) It will rise at 10.46pm BST and reach its full phase at 8.44am BST. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The Moon will also appear through Tuesday night (June 10). However, as sunrise on Wednesday morning is around 4.45am, it will already be light when it reaches its full lunar phase.
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