Latest news with #moonwatchers
CNET
4 hours ago
- Science
- CNET
Get Outside and Spot June's Strawberry Moon This Week
Not all full moons are created equal, and a great example of this is June's full moon, which you can check out this week. Also known as the strawberry moon, June's full moon will be one of the more interesting full moons of the year. It's a mini-moon, which means the moon is as far away from the Earth as its orbit will allow. It's also part of a major lunar standstill, which will give the moon a unique trajectory across the sky that only occurs every 18.6 years. Your best chance to see the strawberry moon will be early on June 11, with the fullest possible moon not visible until 3:46 a.m. according to The Farmer's Almanac. It'll be only slightly less full on both June 10 and June 12. Since it is a mini-moon, it'll also appear to be smaller and dimmer than a normal full moon. Anyone who caught one of four supermoons in 2024 will be able to spot the stark contrast between a supermoon and a mini-moon. During a supermoon, the moon is as close to the Earth as its orbit allows, a phenomenon known as perigee. For a mini-moon, the moon is as far away from Earth as it can get, a phenomenon called apogee. It's a little less exciting than a supermoon, but for context, it's neat to know how dim and small the moon can get compared to how big and bright it can get during a supermoon. The major lunar standstill The strawberry moon is part of what's called a major lunar standstill. This occurs once every 18.6 years when the moon's orbit aligns just right with the Earth's tilt. As most astronomers can tell you, the moon rises and sets from different points of the horizon based on the time of year, the Earth's tilt, and the moon's orbit. In short, the path the moon is taking through the sky is as long as it's going to get. This phenomenon isn't specific to June 2025. In fact, people will be able to view this phenomenon for most of the year. However, once it's gone, it'll be 18.6 years before it shows up again. Another interesting tidbit about major lunar standstills is that the moon will be rising and setting on parts of the horizon where the sun will never go. This was noted by researchers at English Heritage, who are currently studying the notion that Stonehenge lines up with this once-in-a-generation event.
Washington Post
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
See June's full Strawberry Moon on Tuesday night
June's full moon, rising early on Wednesday, will be the sixth of the year and a particularly special one, hanging low in the sky. Peak illumination of the Strawberry Moon will arrive in Washington at 3:43 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. But it will be close enough to full on Tuesday evening that you won't be able to tell the difference if observing with the naked eye.
Washington Post
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
When to gaze up at May's full moon
The fifth full moon of the year will occur on Monday, rising in the evening sky shortly after sunset. Typically called the Flower Moon, May's full moon reaches full illumination in the midday hours on the East Coast, but it will rise at prime time in the evening to put on a delightful show. It's also the third micro full moon in a row.
