June's Strawberry Moon Explained

I happened to run to the supermarket around 9:00 last night when I looked up and caught sight of June's spectacular Strawberry Moon. I was thrilled to be able to snap a quick photo before heading inside the store. Glowing low on the horizon, the moon looked like a giant ball of fire lighting up the night sky.

Despite its name, the Strawberry Moon isn't actually pink or shaped like a strawberry. June's full moon gets its name because it's strawberry harvesting season, not because of its color. Because it rises so low in the sky, it can often appear golden, orange, or even fiery red, making it one of the most beautiful full moons of the year.

The name Strawberry moon originated with the Native American tribes, particularly the Algonquin people, who used the full moons to keep track of the changing seasons. The June's full moon signaled that it was wild strawberry season.  Thus they called the June moon, Strawberry Moon.

                                                       

This year's Strawberry Moon was especially interesting because it appeared unusually low in the sky for many people in the Northern Hemisphere. When the moon is close to the horizon like this, it often looks much larger than it really is thus creating a fascinating optical illusion known as the "moon illusion." Depending on weather conditions, it can also take on golden, orange, or reddish tones as its light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere.

If you missed the June Strawberry Moon this year, you'll have to wait until next June for another chance to enjoy this beautiful annual event.