It’s great news for astronomy enthusiasts as the first full moon since the summer solstice illuminates the sky tonight! Known as the Strawberry Moon, this lunar event also comes with a few astronomical quirks that make it a noteworthy sight for skygazers. Here’s when and where to catch June’s full moon in Miami.
What is the Strawberry Moon?
A Strawberry Moon is the traditional name for the full moon that occurs in June, which happens to be the first full moon of astronomical summer! Despite its name, it won’t actually appear pink or like a giant strawberry. The moniker comes from Native American tribes such as the Algonquian, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota, where the moon coincided with the short strawberry harvesting season in parts of North America.
This year’s Strawberry Moon is especially notable because it’s also the second micromoon of the year, meaning it will occur near its furthest point from Earth, or apogee. While this would normally mean the moon will appear slightly smaller than the average full moon, it will hang so low on the horizon that the “moon illusion” will trick our brains into thinking it looks quite large anyway!
When can you see the Strawberry Moon in Miami?
According to Time and Date, The Strawberry Moon will officially reach peak illumination on Monday, June 29 at 7:56 p.m., with moonrise set for 8:24 p.m. The best viewing opportunity will be to look toward the southeastern horizon as the evening kicks off.
How can you see it?
To get the best possible view, you’ll want to head away from city lights and find an unobstructed line of sight to the horizon. Perhaps even heading to a coastline like South Pointe Park or any waterfront spot facing southeast! No special equipment is needed to enjoy the Strawberry Moon, so it should still be visible from your own backyards if skies remain clear.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon on the calendar is the Buck Moon, which gets its name from the time of year when male deer (bucks) begin to regrow their antlers, which shed and regenerate annually. It will reach its peak during daylight hours on Wednesday, July 29.
