A fruity delight Why June's full moon is called Strawberry Moon

The Strawberry Moon has taken on other seasonal monikers by various cultures over time.

The full moon rises over vessels in Singapore on March 25, 2024. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

As summer kicks into full swing, skywatchers will be treated to a luminous full moon on the evening of June 21, 2024.

This full moon, aptly named the "Strawberry Moon," earns its fruity title from the relatively short strawberry harvesting season in the northeastern United States.

According to the Maine Farmer's Almanac, which began publishing Native American full moon names in the 1930s, the June full moon is called the Strawberry Moon. This name was chosen by Algonquin tribes who tracked the seasons by giving distinct names to each full moon.

"The Strawberry Moon name comes from the relatively short strawberry harvesting season in the northeastern United States," explains Dr. Noah Petro, a research scientist at NASA Goddard. "As the Algonquin tribes observed the moon cycles, they noticed the June full moon coincided with the peak strawberry season."

However, the Strawberry Moon has taken on other seasonal monikers by various cultures over time. Some Native American tribes referred to it as the Hot Moon or Planting Moon, signifying the rising summer temperatures.

The Europeans had their own names like Honey Moon, Rose Moon, or Mead Moon - the latter referring to the honey-based alcoholic drink that was commonly consumed during this time of year.

Beyond its appetising name, the Strawberry Moon itself will be a striking sight. As the full moon closest to the summer solstice, it will appear larger and more orange-hued when rising due to its low trajectory across the horizon.

"When the moon is low on the horizon, we see it through more of the Earth's atmosphere which tends to scatter away the bluer colors, making it appear more reddish-orange," explains Petro. "This is the same reason sunrises and sunsets appear so colourful."

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the Strawberry Moon will reach its peak at 9:08 PM EDT on June 21st. The moon will appear full for about 3 days total, from the evening of June 20th through the morning of June 23rd.

So set your calendars and grab a fresh strawberry snack - the delectable Strawberry Moon will be painting the night skies in just a few weeks' time.

As an added treat, this year's summer solstice on June 20th will closely precede the full moon, making for an ideal moon-watching experience.