The June full moon happens at 7:57 p.m. EDT (2357 GMT) on June 29. That is when the lunar disk will move reverse the solar in Earth’s sky, showing totally lit by the solar’s rays.
This month’s full moon is also referred to as the “Strawberry Moon,” reflecting the time of yr when Native American tribes harvest the ripened fruit. Additionally it is the primary full moon of summer season, following quickly after the June 21 summer season solstice, which marks the astronomical begin of the season and the longest day of the yr.
June’s full moon tracks the bottom path of any full moon all year long, and that is because of its proximity to the summer season solstice — when the solar is at its highest within the daytime sky.
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When to see the June full moon
Look to the southeastern horizon at sundown on June 29 to see the Strawberry Moon climb into the early summer season sky, embedded among the many stars of the constellation Sagittarius. Seeing these stars might show a problem, the truth is, because of the deluge of moonlight pouring from the lunar disk.
Past brightness, Earth’s pure satellite tv for pc can even seem significantly giant to the unaided eye because it rests near the horizon due to a phenomenon generally known as the moon phantasm. You may additionally see the lunar disk undertake a yellow-orange glow within the interval straight following moonrise, when its gentle might be scattered and filtered by the environment.
Full moon timings for when the moon is 100% illuminated (be aware native moonrise and moonset instances will differ relying in your location):
Metropolis | Native time |
|---|---|
New York | 19:56 EDT on June 29 |
London | 00:56 GMT on June 30 |
Beijing | 07:56 CST on June 30 |
Tokyo | 08:56 JST on June 30 |
Sydney | 09:56 AEST on June 30 |
Why it is known as the Strawberry Moon
Essentially the most well-known title for the June full moon might be the “Strawberry Moon” in reference to the wild fruit that ripen and are harvested by Native American Algonquian tribes across the time it rises, per the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Nonetheless, it does produce other titles.
It’s, as an example, also referred to as the “Berries Ripen Moon” by the indigenous Haida folks, the “Inexperienced Corn Moon” by the Cherokee and the “Delivery Moon” by the Tlingit. The latter displays the interval when sure animals are born within the Pacific Northwest.
Europeans, meanwhile, traditionally call it the “Horse Moon,” “Hot Moon” and the “Mead Moon,” the final one owes itself to the Anglo-Saxons because its appearance in the sky coincides with the time that meadows are mown, according to Time and Date.
Cultural traditions and festivals
The June 29 full moon coincides with the Buddhist pageant of Poson Poya, which celebrates the introduction of the faith to Sri Lanka over 2,000 years in the past. Worshipers mark the day by visiting holy websites and temples, the giving of alms and working towards mindfulness and religious purity, as famous by the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
What else to see within the sky across the full moon
Look 10 levels to the higher proper of the Strawberry Moon at sundown on June 29 to search out the pink gentle of Antares — derived from Greek for “rival of Ares” — glowing at the heart of the constellation Scorpius. To its upper left will shine Altair — a bright star that lives about 16.8 light-years from Earth — marking the tail of the great eagle represented in the constellation Aquila.
Next, look to the upper right of Altair to find Vega — the fifth brightest star in the night sky and a once and future north star. To its lower left will be the supergiant star Deneb. These three stars form a famous asterism known as the Summer Triangle, a staple of the summer night sky.
Steal your gaze away from the moon and look to the west to find Jupiter low on the western horizon, with Venus glowing brightly to its upper left in the golden glow of the setting sun. Mercury will also be present to the lower right of Jupiter, though you’d need a perfectly clear view to the west to stand a chance of spotting it.
Early risers will have a chance to spot a different planetary grouping in the hours preceding dawn on June 30, as the lunar disk draws close to the southwestern horizon. The steady light of Saturn will shine below the Great Square of Pegasus with Mars lower still on the eastern horizon, close to the glow of the Pleiades open cluster.
Observing tips
The lunar disk is entirely bereft of shadows during the full moon phase, making this the perfect time to trace the outline of lunar maria — where lava flows filled colossal impact basins billions of years ago before hardening to form sweeping basaltic plains. This phase is also an ideal chance to spot the bright streaks of material cast out during violent impact events.
You can use a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens, or even a modern smartphone camera — particularly one with a bespoke astronomy function — to capture gorgeous images of the full moon. The following tips will help, but for best results, you should read our expert guide to imaging the moon, along with our roundups of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography if you want to upgrade your equipment.
Top tips to photograph the moon
- Use a tripod to keep your camera as steady as possible.
- Use a remote shutter/timer to prevent camera wobble.
- A smartphone stargazing app can help you find the exact point of moonrise on your local horizon.
- A lens with a focal length of 12-50 mm is useful for landscape photography, while a focal length of at least 400 mm is advised for capturing more detailed views of the lunar surface.
- The moon can be made to appear particularly large while close to the horizon next to foreground objects, where it may take on an orange-yellow appearance thanks to Rayleigh scattering. A cleaner, more “classic” view can be captured as it soars high overhead.
Why not try and capture an image of the moon during each major phase (excluding the new moon) as the line separating night from day sweeps across the lunar surface throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief. You can also find your way to the lunar south pole using our handy crater-hopping guide, which could well serve as the location of humanity’s next landing site on the moon’s surface.
These times mark the exact instant of full illumination. Your specific moonrise or moonset may be hours earlier or later, depending on your location. For the best viewing plan, use an app such as Stellarium or SkySafari 7 Pro to find your local moonrise time.
Editor’s Note: Did you capture a beautiful picture of the moon and want to share it with Space.com’s readers? Then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
