A Solstice Strawberry Moon Will Appear Above NYC Next Week
It’s good news for astronomy enthusiasts as this month’s full Strawberry Moon will grace the skies of NYC on June 21st—just one day after the summer solstice which is on June 20th. It will reach peak illumination at 9:08pm, but stargazers can get a look at its glory anytime after sunset so long as skies are clear.
Photographers should have their cameras ready a few days ahead of its peak as the moon will expeditiously brighten. More precisely, on June 18th the full Strawberry Moon will begin to “optimally [reflect] sunlight.” By June 21st, the full moon will be ten times brighter than it was as a “half moon,” according to the Farmer’s Almanac
Moreover, this Strawberry Moon is especially unique because of the date in which it will occur. Full moons rise when the sun sets and vice versa. During the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point. Thus, this month’s Strawberry Moon will be the lowest full moon observed in years, reports the Farmer’s Almanac. Therefore, it will appear larger than it actually is due to the “Moon Illusion.” In fact, some places in the world (like Rekyavik) won’t even see the Strawberry Moon clear the horizon because it will be so low.
And though a Strawberry Moon sounds more on the pink side, the June full moon will actually have a yellow and orange hue from its repressed light. The name itself comes from the ripening of strawberries during this time, as declared by Native American Algonquian tribes.
The next full moon of the summer won’t be until July 21st so stay tuned for more celestial events!
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