We are practically entering the middle of the year 2023, because in a few days June will begin, the sixth month of the calendar, and it will precisely arrive with an astronomical phenomenon that in the United States and other parts of the world is known as the “strawberry moon.”
The “strawberry moon” will be the full moon that will take place next Sunday June 4 and this is special because it will be the last of spring and the 2023 moon will be special because it will take place just before the summer equinox and will be the sixth in the 13 full moons that there will be in the whole year.
Why is the full moon in June called the strawberry moon?
The June full moon is so named because it is associated with the end of the strawberry growing season. In the past, the Native Americans used to watch the sky, since the first moon of summer marked the exact moment in which these fruits reached their maturity, being the sweetest.
Due to this cultural issue, the moon that marks the beginning of summer is called the “strawberry moon.” Of this, a curious fact given by NASA is that when a 50-year cycle is completed, said astronomical event coincides with the June solstice.
In addition, the “strawberry moon” will be a supermoon, since the Earth’s natural satellite reaches its perigee, that is, the point in the orbit closest to the planet, which makes it look larger than usual. In addition, on some occasions, the moon tends to reflect more sunlight, which is why on some nights it looks larger compared to after.
Regarding its color, depending on the atmospheric conditions of each night, it can acquire a reddish or copper coloration.
When to see the “strawberry moon” in this 2023
The “strawberry moon” can be observed on June 3, 4 and 5; according to NASA, it will be Sunday the 4th when it can be better observed, without the use of binoculars, telescopes or any other type of artifact. The only thing that is recommended is to be in a dark place, away from light pollution.
Keep reading:
* 7 Things You Should Do (and 3 Don’ts) During Full Moon Nights
* The rituals you should do to harness the energy of the full moon
* The full moon affects our sleep, truth or myth?