June’s Strawberry Moon Rises Tuesday Night

SAN ANGELO, TX — The first full moon of the meteorological summer, known as the strawberry moon, will rise Tuesday evening and reach peak illumination at 3:43 a.m. Wednesday, according to NASA.

Visible for about three days, the full moon will appear brightest from Tuesday night through the morning of Friday, June 12. Despite its name, the moon will not appear red or pink but will retain its typical silvery hue.

The “strawberry moon” gets its name from seasonal references in the Old Farmer’s Almanac and Native American traditions. Algonquin tribes associated the June full moon with the ripening of wild berries in the northeastern U.S. Europeans have called it the “rose moon,” while others have referred to it as the “hot moon” due to early summer heat.

This month’s full moon will appear larger and brighter because it is the lowest full moon of the year. Its low position in the sky causes what’s known as the “moon illusion,” making it seem bigger. It will also be slightly closer to Earth than usual, NASA said.

Unlike the blood moon, which appears red during a total lunar eclipse, the strawberry moon is a regular monthly full moon. If the moon does take on a pink or reddish tint, it may be due to atmospheric factors such as wildfire smoke.

A full moon occurs approximately every 29.5 days. Occasionally, two full moons can occur in a single month, with the second referred to as a “blue moon.”

The next full moon, known as the “buck moon,” is expected to rise July 11. It is named for the time of year when male deer begin to grow their antlers.