Stargazers are getting ready for a special treat in June 2024 as the “strawberry moon” is set to light up the night sky. This full moon will reach its peak at 9:07 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, June 21. Despite its name, the strawberry moon will not appear red like the fruit but will shine brightly like a typical full moon.
One interesting fact about the strawberry moon is that it gets its name from the short strawberry harvesting season in northeastern North America. This nickname has been used by various Algonquin tribes in the United States. While the moon may appear reddish in some regions, particularly in Europe, this is more likely to happen when the moon is closer to the summer solstice and appears lower in the sky.
Apart from the strawberry moon, the June full moon has other nicknames as well. In Europe, it is sometimes called the “rose moon” due to the blooming roses in late June. Some cultures refer to it as the “hot moon” because it coincides with the rising summer temperatures. Additionally, it can also be known as the “honey moon” or the “mead moon” because of its warm tint when it is low in the sky.
For those interested in stargazing, here are the dates and times of the remaining full moons in 2024:
– July 21 at 6:17 a.m. — “buck moon”
– Aug. 19 at 2:25 p.m. — “sturgeon moon” (also a “supermoon”)
– Sept. 17 at 10:34 p.m. — “harvest moon” (also a “supermoon”)
– Oct. 17 at 7:26 a.m. — “hunter’s moon” (also a “supermoon”)
– Nov. 15 at 4:28 p.m. — “beaver moon” (also a “supermoon”)
– Dec. 15 at 4:01 a.m. — “cold moon”
As the summer solstice of 2024 marks the official start of summer and the longest day of the year, be sure to keep an eye out for the beautiful celestial events in the night sky. Enjoy the magic of the strawberry moon and the other full moons to come throughout the year.