Get Outside and Spot June’s Strawberry Moon This Week

Not all complete moons are created equal, and an excellent example is the full moon of June, which you can consult this week. Also known as Strawberry Moon, the full moon of June will be one of the most interesting moons of the year. It is a mini-moon, which means that the moon is as far from the earth as its orbit will allow it. This is also part of a major lunar status, which will give the moon a unique trajectory in the sky which only occurs every 18.6 years.

Your best chance of seeing the strawberry moon will be early on June 11, with the whole moon possible not visible before 3:46 am according to at the Almanac of the farmer. It will only be slightly less full on June 10 and June 12.

Since it is a mini-moon, it will also seem to be smaller and lower than a normal full moon. Whoever caught One of the four supermoons in 2024 Will be able to identify the striking contrast between a supermoon and a mini-moon. During a supermoon, the moon is as close to the earth as its orbit allows, a phenomenon called perigee.

For a mini-moon, the moon is as far from the earth as possible, a phenomenon called Apogee. It is a little less exciting than a supermoon, but for the context, it is good to know how dark and small the moon can be compared to the size and shine that it can become during a supermoon.

Major lunar status

The strawberry moon is part of what is called the major lunar stop. This occurs once every 18.6 years when the moon orbit aligns just with the inclination of the earth. As most astronomers can tell you, the moon goes up and takes place from different points on the horizon depending on the time of the year, the inclination of the earth and the orbit of the moon.

In short, the path of the moon through the sky is as long as it will obtain it. This phenomenon is not specific to June 2025. In fact, people will be able to see it for most of the year. However, once it has disappeared, it will take 18.6 years before it appears again.

Another interesting treat on the major lunar judgment is that the moon will rise and take place on parts of the horizon where the sun will never go. This was noted by researchers from English Heritage, currently studying The idea that Stonehenge aligns with this event once in a generation.