The June full moon tonight is also a low ‘strawberry moon.' Here's what that means and the best time to see it
The hit 1962 song 'Up on the Roof' reminds listeners that when the world is getting you down, 'at night the stars put on a show for free.'
While not expressly stated in Carole King and Gerry Goffin's lyrics, it's implied that the moon gets in on the action and romance as well.
About once a month, the night sky takes things to the next level with a full moon. June's offering, which is nicknamed the Strawberry Moon by the Old Farmer's Almanac, is extra special for those in the Western Hemisphere because its peak will be at its lowest in almost 20 years thanks to a major lunar standstill. Let's break down the science of it all before we discuss how best to view the nighttime spectacular.
Strawberry Moon: What's in a name?
The origin of the Strawberry Moon nickname comes from Native American culture and has nothing to do with the appearance of the full moon. The Algonquian, Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota people used the moniker because that's when the delicious summertime fruit is ripening and ready to be picked. This year, because of the moon's low position and the wildfires in Canada, the orb might actually have a pinkish tint.
Why is the full moon so low this month?
The Strawberry Moon is always low because of the time of year. The orb is always opposite the sun and June's full moon takes place around the same time as the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest point.
This year it is even lower because of a recent major lunar standstill. The Earth orbits the sun and the moon orbits the Earth, but in different planes. This 5 degree tilt impacts the appearance of the moon in the night sky. Every 18.6 years, this tilt goes through a cycle of change.
When the moon is in the highest or lowest periods of this cycle, it is called a major lunar standstill.
When is the best time to see the Strawberry Moon?
The Strawberry Moon will reach peak illumination at 3:43 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11. If that seems too early, never fear, you can catch it this evening (Tuesday, June 10) and it will already appear full to the naked eye. There's no need to lose any sleep.
In fact, thanks to the moon illusion—the phenomenon that makes the orb seem bigger near the horizon because our brains compare it to nearby objects, such as trees and buildings—it is better to view it when it is rising:
If you are in New York City, this takes place at 8:26 p.m ET
Moon watchers in Los Angeles should look up at 8:05 p.m. PT.
To find out when the moonrise occurs in your city, use this handy tool from TimeandDate.
Once you know the optimal time, head up on a roof, preferably away from city lights and enjoy the show. Your cares might just drift right into space like King and Goffin promised.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
3 hours ago
- CNET
Save Money This Summer by Investing in Curtains, Blinds or Drapes
Summer might not technically be here for a few more weeks but with temperatures already soaring, you might be looking for a way to keep cool at home. As weather patterns continue to change, blackouts are becoming more common and rising energy costs are making it harder than ever to stay cool during heatwaves. If you're looking for a good way to bring the temperature down inside without blowing your budget this summer, there's a long-term option you may not have considered. Buying window treatments and fabrics is a great way to boost your household's energy efficiency significantly by lowering your energy costs. Based on a recent Reddit thread on the topic, users are speaking highly on using attachments such as thermal and blackout curtains to help reduce electricity bills. An energy-efficient home keeps you comfortable, uses far less energy and saves money. There are many ways to improve your home's efficiency. You can start with simple actions, such as turning off the lights when you leave a room. For bigger changes, you might consider installing solar panels. However, you might be missing one of the easiest and most effective ways to save energy. The right window treatments (also known as window attachments) can make a big difference in boosting your energy efficiency. These attachments are curtains, blinds, awnings and shades. They work well in keeping you cooler in the warmer months and warmer in the cooler months. With the right treatments, you can effectively cut your utility spending in half annually. Tom Culp, owner of Birch Point Consulting in Wisconsin and a board member of nonprofit public interest group the Attachments Energy Rating Council, spoke more about the importance of window treatments for a home. "For a typical home, the window area is less than 10% of the overall shell. But the Department of Energy has estimated that windows can account for up to 50% of the energy that flows in and out of the home," he said. "Windows have an oversized importance in your home's energy performance and your energy bills." How do curtains and blinds save energy? Window treatments can make your home more energy efficient in a couple of ways. How they can help and the right window treatments to purchase for energy savings depend on the time of year and the climate where you live. When it's cold and dark in the winter, the right window treatments can act as a barrier, preventing your home from losing heat through leaks or cracks around your windows. They can also keep cold, drafty air from entering your home. "You have a lot of energy going in and out of your home through the windows," said Culp. "A blind or shade will provide an insulating layer to help block some of that heat loss, especially at night." In warm, sunny weather, blinds, shades, films and other treatments block the sun, keeping your home cooler during the hottest times of the day. In colder climates, sunlight can be beneficial in winter and the shoulder seasons. Some window treatments are better at blocking sunlight than others. Tunatura/Getty Images "The sun coming in your window can be good or bad. Where I live in Wisconsin, it helps to warm your house and offset heating costs," said Culp. "If you're in the South, maybe the sun isn't your friend in the summer. A blind or shade can block some of that sunlight and stop that extra heat from coming in and adding to your air conditioning costs. It really depends on where you are in the country and your specific application." Not all window treatments are created equal. To get the most value and find the right product for you, it's important to understand the different window treatments available. Insulated cellular shades Also called honeycomb shades or cellular shades, these pleated fabric shades are considered the most high-performing window treatment option in terms of R-value, which measures the performance of a building's insulation. Their honeycomb shape creates a layer of air that blocks heat or cold from entering your home. They also have the most potential to help you save on energy. Insulated cellular shades reduced energy use by 20% in one study conducted by the US Department of Energy. Thermal curtains Thermal curtains resemble everyday fabric curtains but they differ from decorative curtains in a significant way. They're made from multiple layers of thick, insulating fabric designed to hold in cool or warm air and prevent leaks or drafts from windows. Thermal blinds Thermal blinds are year-round window treatments that create a heat-reflecting barrier on your home's windows. Similar to insulated cellular shades, these blinds often have honeycomb-shaped pockets to trap a layer of air that acts as a thermal barrier between the window and your home. An aluminum layer on each side of the blinds reflects heat out in the summer and into your space in the winter. Window quilts A window quilt works the same way as a quilt made for your bed. By sewing layers of fabric together with an insulating layer between them, a window quilt blocks air from getting in or out through your windows. They also completely block the sun, doing double-duty as blackout curtains, and can help reduce outside noise. Window quilts are available in roll-up and pull-up models to allow for more flexibility, although some are designed with velcro or snaps to attach the treatment around all four sides of the window. Window films Unlike the other window treatments on this list, which are attached to the interior or exterior of your windows to help with energy efficiency, films are applied directly to the glass. Window films reduce warming from the sun's heat as well as glare and UV rays, but because they're not adjustable, they're better for warm, sunny climates rather than cold ones. Because window films are tinted, they provide privacy while allowing you to see outside, unlike curtains and blinds. Awnings When attached to your home's exterior above windows, awnings block sunlight, preventing solar heat gain in your home. Fixed and adjustable models are available and you can install a single awning over a window or a longer awning that can shade the windows over one entire side of your house. Like window films, awnings may be a better option for homeowners in warm climates, as blocking the sun will require more energy to heat your home in winter. How do you find energy-efficient curtains and blinds? On AERC's residential product search page, you can find certified window treatments and even filter and sort to find products that fit your needs and climate. While you probably have an idea of whether your home is more in need of cooling or heating for more of the year, the organization also has a climate zone map that can help you choose whether the AERC's cool or warm rating is more relevant to your home. Lowering blinds on a sunny day can keep your house cooler. Imgorthand/Getty Images You can also look for products with the AERC's Energy Improvement Label when you're shopping. Each rating label includes a number for how well the product performs in cool and warm climates. Regardless of the window attachments you choose, you'll get the most energy savings when they're adjusted regularly according to conditions outside. Another Department of Energy study found that 75% of window coverings stay in the same position every day and more than half of US households don't adjust their window coverings daily. Culp sees that fact as an opportunity for automation to make energy-efficient window treatments even more effective. "What automation can do better than most homeowners is open your window treatments when it's advantageous for you and closed when it's not," he said. "You can control it yourself from an app or it can be set to be run optimally. It knows when it will save you the most energy and the most money so that you get better performance." Will regular curtains and blinds improve efficiency? "All window attachments will have an impact, from basic mini-slat blinds to decorative sheers to high-performance insulating cellular shades," Culp said. The curtains or blinds you can pick up at a department store or big-box store haven't been designed specifically for energy efficiency. They may reduce your energy use somewhat but you'll likely see a bigger impact on your utility bills with a product that's labeled as energy efficient and an AERC rating that makes sense for your home and your climate. Frequently asked questions Will curtains and blinds lower my energy bill? Yes. Even regular blinds and shades will offer some energy savings when they're deployed properly. You'll see greater savings and use less energy with window treatments that are specifically designed for energy efficiency and have an AERC rating that makes sense for your home and climate.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
See stunning images of June's Strawberry Moon
You may have noticed the moon looked a little different last night — it was full, low, and in some places glowed with a bright-pink hue. It was June's Strawberry Moon — so named not because of the reddish glow, but because its namesake fruit is ready to be harvested in June. The full moon peaked in illumination at 3:44 a.m. ET early Wednesday, according to the Farmer's Almanac. In some locations, fittingly, the moon radiated a strawberry-like red-and-pink glow due to its low position and light passing through the densest parts of the atmosphere. The phenomenon was visible in New York City, Florida and across the pond in the U.K. and Cyprus. Last night's lunar spectacle marked the lowest full moon visible from the northern hemisphere in decades — the likes of which won't be seen again until 2043. 'Strawberry Moon' has been used by Native American Algonquin tribes in the Northeastern U.S., as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota peoples, according to the Farmer's Almanac. Alternative names for the June full moon used by Indigenous cultures include the 'Birth Moon' and the 'Hatching Moon,' referring to a time when animal babies are born. European names for the June full moon include the 'Honey Moon' and 'Mead Month,' as June was traditionally a month for marriage. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Final full moon of Spring, the ‘Strawberry Moon,' glows over central Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – With clear skies settling into Central Ohio through the middle of the week, it has opened perfect viewing conditions for the latest full moon! Typically, the lunar cycle lines up with the twelve months of the year, giving each month it's own full moon. However, there are certain times of the year where an extra full moon happens – becoming a blue moon. Warmer weather building into Central Ohio, eyeing the weekend forecast June's full moon, whose name was made popular by the Farmer's Almanac, is the 'Strawberry Moon.' Each moon's nickname is given based on notable natural cycles. Names typically come from Native American or Colonial sources. The 'Strawberry Moon' isn't named because the moon takes on a reddish hue like the sweet berry. Instead, it takes the name because the full moon usually coincides with the time of strawberry season – when the berries are most ripe. This naming comes from Native American Algonquin tribes in Northeast America. June's full moon is also special because it signals the upcoming change in the seasons. The peak of the full moon happens fairly close to the Summer Solstice, marking the end of spring and the beginning of summer. While the 'Strawberry Moon' should look like a typical full moon in color, there are times that the moon can actually be reddish in hue. If the full moon sits lower on the horizon, it will take a more reddish color. The moons light has to travel through more of Earth's atmosphere, making the light look more red. Smoke, haze, and dust, along with a lunar eclipse, can also make the moon looker more red. The peak of the full moon was reached on June 11th at 3:46 AM. The next full moon will be in mid July, on the 10th. At 4:38 PM that evening, July's full moon, the 'Buck Moon,' will reach it's peak. Did you see the Strawberry Moon Wednesday morning? Share your photos with NBC4 here: To learn more about the Strawberry Moon, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
