How to catch rare Strawberry Moon which won't be seen again until 2043
June's full moon will grace the sky next week and break several night sky records.
Scotland's amateur stargazers have seen a range of cosmic events already this year, including several sightings of the Northern Lights. But this week will see a super-rare Strawberry Moon light up the night sky, in a phenomenon that won't be seen again until 2043.
While the full moon occurs roughly every month, when the moon has repeated another lunar cycle, there's something particularly special about June's full moon this year. So what is the Strawberry Moon, and why is it so exciting this year?
The Strawberry Moon will grace our skies this week, on June 11. Here's all the information you need to make the most of this rare celestial event.
What is the Strawberry Moon?
The June full moon is referred to as the Strawberry Moon, due to its association with summer and therefore strawberry season.
Each of the monthly full Moons has a nickname that relates to what's going on in nature during that particular month, according to BBC Sky at Night.
The full Moon in February is usually known as the Snow Moon, while the July full Moon is known as the Buck Moon- as it's the period where bucks (male deer) grow their antlers.
The term 'Strawberry Moon' is said to have originated from Native American tribes, according to the BBC, in particular the Algonquin tribe.
This full moon marked the beginning of strawberry season in northeastern parts of North America.
But despite its name, it won't appear strawberry bright red or pink, so don't be disappointed!
However, the June full moon sits particularly low in the sky, and its closeness to the horizon can sometimes give it a reddish glow.
Why is the Strawberry Moon special this year?
While the Strawberry Moon is usually the lowest full moon of the year, it hasn't appeared so low in the sky since 2006, and won't be again until 2043.
This is because of an event that occurs once every 18.6 years, known as the 'major lunar standstill'.
Across the moon's nearly 20-year-long cycle, it follows a tilted orbit around Earth.
Major and minor lunar standstills occur when the moon rises and sets at its most extreme points on the horizon, appearing unusually low or high in the sky.
During the Strawberry Moon, Earth will be approaching its farthest distance from the Sun in its orbit.
The moon will also be as far from the Sun as it can possibly be in its orbit around Earth, in one of the furthest full moons from the sun of the year.
While the moon is officially full on June Wednesday, June 11, it will be visible close to Antares, meaning Mars' rival, which is the brightest star in the Scorpio constellation in the nights leading up to the full moon.
On Monday, June 9, the moon will be visible to the right of the ultra-bright star, at around 10pm, according to BBC Sky at Night.
On 10 June, the moon will appear to the left of Antares, but remember, it'll be low in the sky, so to see it will require a clear horizon.
By 11 June, the moon will be in the constellation Sagittarius, even further left of Mars' rival.
When can you see the Strawberry Moon?
To catch this low-down moon, you'll need a low, southern horizon, unobstructed by trees or buildings.
But when will you have the best chance of catching it?
The Strawberry Moon will rise on June 11 at 10.46pm BST, and reach its full phase at 8.44am BST. With sunrise at around 4.45am on June 11, it will already be light when it reaches its full lunar phase.
The best time to see the Strawberry Moon will be at dusk on Tuesday (June 10), and the Moon will appear full through both Tuesday and Wednesday night.
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North Wales Live
2 hours ago
- North Wales Live
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.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
How to catch rare Strawberry Moon which won't be seen again until 2043
June's full moon will grace the sky next week and break several night sky records. Scotland's amateur stargazers have seen a range of cosmic events already this year, including several sightings of the Northern Lights. But this week will see a super-rare Strawberry Moon light up the night sky, in a phenomenon that won't be seen again until 2043. While the full moon occurs roughly every month, when the moon has repeated another lunar cycle, there's something particularly special about June's full moon this year. So what is the Strawberry Moon, and why is it so exciting this year? The Strawberry Moon will grace our skies this week, on June 11. Here's all the information you need to make the most of this rare celestial event. What is the Strawberry Moon? The June full moon is referred to as the Strawberry Moon, due to its association with summer and therefore strawberry season. Each of the monthly full Moons has a nickname that relates to what's going on in nature during that particular month, according to BBC Sky at Night. The full Moon in February is usually known as the Snow Moon, while the July full Moon is known as the Buck Moon- as it's the period where bucks (male deer) grow their antlers. The term 'Strawberry Moon' is said to have originated from Native American tribes, according to the BBC, in particular the Algonquin tribe. This full moon marked the beginning of strawberry season in northeastern parts of North America. But despite its name, it won't appear strawberry bright red or pink, so don't be disappointed! However, the June full moon sits particularly low in the sky, and its closeness to the horizon can sometimes give it a reddish glow. Why is the Strawberry Moon special this year? While the Strawberry Moon is usually the lowest full moon of the year, it hasn't appeared so low in the sky since 2006, and won't be again until 2043. This is because of an event that occurs once every 18.6 years, known as the 'major lunar standstill'. Across the moon's nearly 20-year-long cycle, it follows a tilted orbit around Earth. Major and minor lunar standstills occur when the moon rises and sets at its most extreme points on the horizon, appearing unusually low or high in the sky. During the Strawberry Moon, Earth will be approaching its farthest distance from the Sun in its orbit. The moon will also be as far from the Sun as it can possibly be in its orbit around Earth, in one of the furthest full moons from the sun of the year. While the moon is officially full on June Wednesday, June 11, it will be visible close to Antares, meaning Mars' rival, which is the brightest star in the Scorpio constellation in the nights leading up to the full moon. On Monday, June 9, the moon will be visible to the right of the ultra-bright star, at around 10pm, according to BBC Sky at Night. On 10 June, the moon will appear to the left of Antares, but remember, it'll be low in the sky, so to see it will require a clear horizon. By 11 June, the moon will be in the constellation Sagittarius, even further left of Mars' rival. When can you see the Strawberry Moon? To catch this low-down moon, you'll need a low, southern horizon, unobstructed by trees or buildings. But when will you have the best chance of catching it? The Strawberry Moon will rise on June 11 at 10.46pm BST, and reach its full phase at 8.44am BST. With sunrise at around 4.45am on June 11, it will already be light when it reaches its full lunar phase. The best time to see the Strawberry Moon will be at dusk on Tuesday (June 10), and the Moon will appear full through both Tuesday and Wednesday night. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Moon to turn red this week in best Strawberry Moon until 2043
Your best chance to see it will be at dusk The full Moon this week will appear unusual for people across the UK thanks to a phenomenon that won't be seen as well again until 2043. June's full Moon is known as the Strawberry Moon because it is the time of year, in North America, when wild strawberries were harvested. And this year the Strawberry Moon will live up to its name and could take on a red tinge. That's because the Moon will be the lowest we will see until 2043 - staying close to the horizon after it rises as a full Moon on June 10 and 11. The fact it is lower on the horizon will mean that, to people looking from the UK, it will take on a red tinge. When the Moon hangs low on the horizon, its light has to travel through a much thicker slice of Earth's atmosphere than when it's overhead. That extra distance does two things: Molecules of nitrogen, oxygen, plus tiny aerosols in the air scatter short-wavelength light (violet, blue, green) far more efficiently than long-wavelength light (orange, red). The longer the light's journey through that haze, the more of the blues are stripped away, leaving mainly reds and oranges to reach your eyes. Dust, smoke, and pollution: Close to the ground, the air contains more dust, water vapour, and human-made pollutants. These larger particles selectively absorb and scatter light, too, but they do it in a way that further mutes the blues and greens while letting the warmer colours through. Put those two effects together and the Moon takes on a coppery or crimson tint whenever it's near the horizon. The same physics explains why sunsets are red — and why a 'blood Moon' during a lunar eclipse looks red: all of the sunlight reaching the eclipsed Moon has been filtered through Earth's thick, dusty atmosphere at sunrise and sunset around the planet. The name Strawberry Moon comes from Algonquin and other Native American traditions, as well as old European naming systems. It marks the start of the strawberry harvesting season in parts of North America. Early colonists adopted and passed on this term. For the UK, the full Strawberry Moon on June 11, 2025, will be best seen in the evening of June 10 at moonrise, rather than on the morning of June 11 when it's technically 100% illuminated. Moonrise on June 10 will be between 9pm and 9.30pm and the Moon will be full in the morning on June 11 at 8.43am - after sunrise. The Moon will trace its lowest path of the year, so rising at dusk on June 10 gives it its most dramatic and reddish appearance. At meridian transit (its highest point at night), it'll only reach about 10°–12° above the horizon - about two fists held above the horizon.
