'Rare' lunar event on Wednesday won't happen again until 2043

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3 days ago

'Rare' lunar event on Wednesday won't happen again until 2043
Some people have waited almost 20 years to catch another glimpse of the moon looking a vibrant shade of red
The moon may appear to have a reddish tinge this week
(Image: Getty Images )
Stargazers should keep their eyes peeled this week for an astral event that won't happen again until 2043. The sight of a rare 'Strawberry Moon' is set to illuminate the night sky this week, and space enthusiasts won't have long to wait.
The Old Farmer's Almanac explained that Native Americans and Europeans named full moons as a way to "keep track of time and the seasons". All months have a specific 'moon' depending on what was naturally happening at the time such as February's Snow Moon, or September's Full Corn Moon.
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The moon in June was specifically named after the prime strawberry harvesting season - not just because of its striking colour, which almost matches the fruit itself. Experts have now determined that the colour change has more to do with the moon's position in its lunar cycle.
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The Almanac says: "[The] moon usually appears reddish when it's close to the horizon because the light rays must pass through the densest layers of the atmosphere." Due to the full moon in June sitting particularly low in the sky, its distance to the horizon can amplify that red glow into something that is rarely seen unless you look up at night at the right time.
This year, people will want to make sure they catch a glimpse of the moon as it won't look like this again for decades, reports the Express. Whilst the Strawberry Moon occurs every year, it hasn't appeared so low in the sky since 2006 due to the lunar cycle and will not appear like this again until 2043.
The Strawberry Moon didn't get its name specifically because of the red-coloured fruit, experts claim
(Image: Getty Images )
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The Strawberry Moon's red tint comes from a 'major lunar standstill'. This happens when the moon reaches its most extreme northern or southern positions in the sky, causing its rise and set to occur at the furthest points along the horizon.
This event happens every 18.6 years, approximately, making it quite a rare spectacle to witness. Given that cycle, experts predict that this strawberry-like colour won't come around again until June 2043.
When can I see the Strawberry Moon?
Most reports suggest that Wednesday, June 11, will be the night to observe this natural phenomenon. According to BBC's Sky at Night Magazine, Brits should keep a close eye on the moon from 10.46pm.
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This is when the moon rises, although it might already be visible on Tuesday, June 10. Any location away from the light pollution of cities or towns will provide a good view for stargazing. Getting to a higher altitude can help you see more of the horizon, potentially avoiding obstructions.
Taking a photo of the rare moon on your phone isn't impossible
(Image: Getty )
How to get good Strawberry Moon pictures?
Many people who witness the red-coloured moon want to capture the moment with a photograph. However, given that the moon is millions of miles away, your smartphone might need some special settings to capture the best images.
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Taking a special photo of the sky using a smartphone is possible. But there are a few steps to ensure you get it right.
Firstly, switch off your flash and activate HDR mode (if available) to effectively capture both the moon and the landscape as the light fades during dusk. Avoid zooming in because digital zoom tends to blur the details.
Instead, position the moon within a landscape for greater impact, which is particularly effective during this month's unusually far-southeast moonrise. If you're using a manual photography app, maintain the ISO at 100 for a crisp shot and experiment with slower (but not overly slow) shutter speeds.
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A tripod will come in handy, particularly when using slower shutter speeds. However, if you don't have one, you can prop your phone up on a wall or ledge.