Don't Miss the Eye-Catching Full Strawberry Moon
Be sure to gaze at the southeastern sky on a particular Monday evening, where you will witness the full moon of June rise just after the sun has set. Officially, the moon will be in its fullest phase in the late evening, but you can expect it to look full all night long.
Why is it Called the Strawberry Moon?
Although June's full moon is dubbed the strawberry moon, don't anticipate it to be red or pink. However, if you manage to see it right as it ascends above the horizon that Monday evening, you might notice a yellow, orange, or even slightly pink hue. This coloration is due to the moonlight passing through a thicker layer of Earth's atmosphere.
Small particles and water molecules in the air scatter shorter blue wavelengths of light, a process known as Rayleigh scattering. This allows more of the longer red and orange wavelengths to reach our eyes, giving the moon its unique coloration.
The Origin of the Name 'Strawberry Moon'
The term 'strawberry moon' traces back to Native American traditions, which were later made popular by well-known almanacs. Before printed calendars were common, many indigenous communities across North America would name each full moon after the plants, animals, weather, or seasonal activities that characterized that specific time of year. No unified Native American lunar calendar existed. Each community developed names that reflected the natural rhythms of their homeland.
The 'Strawberry Moon' moniker comes from the traditions of Algonquian-speaking peoples located in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. For these communities, late June signified the short season when wild strawberries ripened. The full moon served as a helpful reminder that it was time to harvest the annual crop.
European settlers gradually adopted many of these seasonal names over time. The term 'Strawberry Moon' eventually made its way into almanacs, becoming the name that most Americans are familiar with today.
Other Names for June's Full Moon
Different indigenous nations assigned June's full moon names that echoed what was occurring in their own communities. For instance, the Dakota and Lakota had similar names tied to ripening berries. Further south, the Cherokee named it the Green Corn Moon, acknowledging the stage of the growing season when corn fields were becoming established.
The Western Abenaki referred to it as the Hoer Moon, reflecting the work of tending crops, while the Haida named it the Berries Ripen Moon. The Cree recognized it as the Egg Laying Moon or Hatching Moon, signifying the nesting season for birds.
Observing the Full Strawberry Moon
When you observe June's full moon, you might notice it's not as high as it was a few months ago. This is because the sun follows its highest path across the sky at this time of year. In contrast, the full moon, which always appears opposite the sun, traces one of its lowest paths of the year across the nighttime sky.
After the strawberry moon, we can look forward to the full Buck moon. This term refers to the time when male white-tailed deer start rapidly growing a new set of antlers. This is yet another example of how our ancestors used the moon to keep track of the changing seasons.
Be sure to gaze at the southeastern sky on a particular Monday evening, where you will witness the full moon of June rise just after the sun has set. Officially, the moon will be in its fullest phase in the late evening, but you can expect it to look full all night long.
Why is it Called the Strawberry Moon?
Although June's full moon is dubbed the strawberry moon, don't anticipate it to be red or pink. However, if you manage to see it right as it ascends above the horizon that Monday evening, you might notice a yellow, orange, or even slightly pink hue. This coloration is due to the moonlight passing through a thicker layer of Earth's atmosphere.
Small particles and water molecules in the air scatter shorter blue wavelengths of light, a process known as Rayleigh scattering. This allows more of the longer red and orange wavelengths to reach our eyes, giving the moon its unique coloration.
The Origin of the Name 'Strawberry Moon'
The term 'strawberry moon' traces back to Native American traditions, which were later made popular by well-known almanacs. Before printed calendars were common, many indigenous communities across North America would name each full moon after the plants, animals, weather, or seasonal activities that characterized that specific time of year. No unified Native American lunar calendar existed. Each community developed names that reflected the natural rhythms of their homeland.
The 'Strawberry Moon' moniker comes from the traditions of Algonquian-speaking peoples located in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. For these communities, late June signified the short season when wild strawberries ripened. The full moon served as a helpful reminder that it was time to harvest the annual crop.
European settlers gradually adopted many of these seasonal names over time. The term 'Strawberry Moon' eventually made its way into almanacs, becoming the name that most Americans are familiar with today.
Other Names for June's Full Moon
Different indigenous nations assigned June's full moon names that echoed what was occurring in their own communities. For instance, the Dakota and Lakota had similar names tied to ripening berries. Further south, the Cherokee named it the Green Corn Moon, acknowledging the stage of the growing season when corn fields were becoming established.
The Western Abenaki referred to it as the Hoer Moon, reflecting the work of tending crops, while the Haida named it the Berries Ripen Moon. The Cree recognized it as the Egg Laying Moon or Hatching Moon, signifying the nesting season for birds.
Observing the Full Strawberry Moon
When you observe June's full moon, you might notice it's not as high as it was a few months ago. This is because the sun follows its highest path across the sky at this time of year. In contrast, the full moon, which always appears opposite the sun, traces one of its lowest paths of the year across the nighttime sky.
After the strawberry moon, we can look forward to the full Buck moon. This term refers to the time when male white-tailed deer start rapidly growing a new set of antlers. This is yet another example of how our ancestors used the moon to keep track of the changing seasons.