5 days ago
Don't miss June's full moon. Best Florida viewing of rare 'Major lunar standstill'
Get ready for a special sight in the sky in June.
We're in the middle of a major lunar standstill, meaning June's full moon will be at its lowest point since 2006. It's won't happen again until 2043.
If you're outside, the moon will appear larger than normal low on the horizon and may even be orange or reddish.
Here's what to know.
The next full moon will be on Wednesday, June 11. It's known as the strawberry moon.
June's full moon will be special.
"In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be the lowest full moon seen until 2043, staying unusually close to the horizon " according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Look for the full moon at 3:44 a.m. ET June 11, about 22 degrees above the southern horizon.
"When the moon is low in the sky it appears especially big."
The last time the full moon was this low was 18.6 years ago, according to in what's known as a major lunar standstill. It won't happen again until 2043.
As the moon shines through the thick layer of air, it may appear golden, orange, or even reddish.
June's full moon is the closest full moon to the summer solstice, which falls on June 21 this year. The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Look toward the southern horizon at 3:44 a.m. ET on June 11. Can't pull yourself out of bed? You can see it later but that's the time it will reach its peak.
Make sure you have a clear view since the moon will only be about 22 degrees above the horizon.
"Every day, the moon rises in the east and sets in the west, but the location of the moonrise and moonset on the horizon changes, moving from north to south to north again over the course of a month. Throughout the 18.6-year lunar cycle, the northernmost and southernmost extremes also change," said.
"During a major lunar standstill, the northernmost and southernmost moonrise and moonset are at their farthest distance apart. This affects how long the moon appears to stay in the sky."
Called a 'major lunar standstill,' the natural phenomenon doesn't take place over one day but over about two years when the moon rises and sets at more northerly and southerly spots along the horizon, said.
The summer solstice occurs at 10:41 p.m. ET, June 20 this year.
The solstice marks the exact time when the sun reaches it northernmost point in the sky, according to EarthSky.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the shortest night and longest day of the year.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: June full moon, major lunar standstill. Where, when see Florida
