The UK is set to be treated to a spectacular full moon soon, known as the Strawberry Moon.
Although there are sometimes more than 12 full moons in one year, there are 12 popular full moon names corresponding to each monthly full moon.
It’ll be at its brightest on Wednesday evening – but how can you see it in all its glory?
And why is it known as a Strawberry Moon? Here’s what you need to know about the phenomenon.
What is a Strawberry Moon?
First things first – it doesn’t mean that the full moon is pink – even if it can sometimes appear that way in the sky – or in any way resembles a strawberry.
Different cultures have assigned a variety of names to full moons across the lunar calendar in history, but the most well-known and commonly used full moon monikers, such as the Strawberry Moon, came from Native American culture.
In the case of the Strawberry Moon, it got its name because in North America strawberry harvesting traditionally takes place in June.
The June moon is also known as the rose moon in some European cultures, which is thought to be taken from the roses that bloom at that time of year.
Other cultures know it as the hot moon because it marks the beginning of the warm summer season.
The best time to see the Strawberry Moon in the UK
If you want to see the Strawberry Moon you’ll need to be out and about at the optimal time and location on Wednesday.
The sixth Moon of the year will become visible from around 10.46pm on Wednesday, June 11, as the moon rises, although it might already be visible on Tuesday.
Any spot that is away from light pollution of cities or towns will be good for stargazing and observing the phenomenon.
Will the moon appear red?
The June full moon is the closest to midsummer and also the furthest away from the Sun.
But rather than being red, it will apepar orange or slightly rusty red when its close to the horizon, according to the BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
So, to the naked eye, the special moon might not appear any more red than usual as the nickname comes from its cultural background.
The next full moon after the summer equinox will be the Buck Moon in July.
Full moon 2025 dates in the UK
Here are all the full moon dates, times and names in the UK this year.
- January 13 – Wolf Moon
- February 12 – Snow Moon
- March 14 – Worm Moon
- April 13- Pink Moon
- May 12 – Flower Moon
- June 11 – Strawberry Moon
- July 10 – Buck Moon
- August 9 – Sturgeon Moon
- September 7 – Corn/Harvest Moon
- October 7 – Hunter’s Moon
- November 5 – Beaver Moon
- December 4 – Cold Moon
This article was first published on June 3, 2023.
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