When to see the 'strawberry moon' in the night sky and how to get the best view
Skywatchers across North America will get a glimpse of the year's strawberry moon on the morning of June 11 — though the full moon will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.
According to NASA, the moon will reach peak fullness at 3:44 a.m. Eastern time. However, the best time to view it will be the evening of June 10, when the moon rises near sunset. Despite its name, the strawberry moon will shine a soft golden hue, not red, if weather permits.
This year's strawberry moon is classified as a 'micromoon,' meaning it occurs when the moon is near its apogee — the farthest point in its orbit from Earth. As a result, it will appear about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than a typical full moon.
The June full moon marks the last of the season before the summer solstice on June 20, officially signaling the end of spring. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, this year's moon will also follow its lowest arc across the sky since 2006 — a result of the moon entering a major lunar standstill, an astronomical phenomenon that occurs every 18.6 years.
The term 'Strawberry Moon' originates from the Algonquian tribes, including the Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota peoples, who associated the moon with the short harvest season of wild strawberries in June.
In Bergen County, New Jersey, the moon will rise at 9:25 p.m. in the southeast on June 10 and will reach its highest point — just 20 degrees above the horizon — at 12:48 a.m. It will set in the southwest at 5:07 a.m. on June 11, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. The moon will be 100% illuminated.
To catch the best view, experts recommend finding a location with a clear, unobstructed view of the southeastern horizon. Viewers can check local moonrise times by searching their ZIP code using online tools from The Old Farmer's Almanac.
While the moon may not shine as brightly as some previous full moons, its low path across the sky and seasonal significance make it a notable sight for stargazers and photographers alike.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Strawberry moon to shine in night sky this June. How to see it
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