By Rachel Fadem and Ashley Strickland, CNN
The full moon of June, the strawberry moon, will illuminate the sky this week.
The moon will appear full from the sunrise on Sunday to the setting of the moon on Wednesday, according to NASA. It will reach its maximum at 7:52 am ET on Tuesday, but will not be fully visible in North America until the moon rises. This year’s strawberry moon is the first of two consecutive supermoons.
Although there is no single definition, the term supermoon generally refers to a full moon that appears brighter and larger than other moons because it is in its orbit closest to Earth.
To a casual observer, the supermoon may look similar in size to other moons. However, the noticeable change in brightness improves visibility and creates a great opportunity for people to start paying attention to the moon and its phases, said Noah Petro, head of NASA’s Laboratory of Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry.
The ideal time to look at the moon is when it rises or sets, as it will look larger at first glance, said Jacqueline Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History. (The Old Farmer’s Almanac calculator can help you figure out what time the moon rises and sets at your location.)
The best June full moon views in the United States will be in the southern half of the country and in the southwest. A series of light storms will move through the Northeast and Great Lakes regions earlier in the week, creating cloudy conditions that will make it difficult to see clearly, CNN meteorologist Gene Norman said.
Petro recommends that moon observers look for a clear horizon and avoid areas with tall buildings and thick forests. It also urges people to stay away from bright lights if possible for maximum visibility.
The name Strawberry Moon is rooted in the traditions of indigenous groups in the northeastern United States, including the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota communities who saw the celestial event as a sign that strawberries and other fruits were ripe. and ready to be picked up. The Haida refer to the moon as a ripe berry moon, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
In Europe, this moon is often called a honeymoon or mead, and historical writings in the region suggest that honey was ready for harvest by the end of the month. In addition, the name honeymoon may refer to June’s reputation as the most popular month for weddings.
This full moon corresponds to the Hindu festival Vat Purnima, a celebration where married women tie a ceremonial thread around a banyan and fast to pray for their spouse to live a long life.
For Buddhists, this moon is the moon Poson Poya, named after the holiday celebrating the introduction of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 236 BC.
There will be six more full moons in 2022, according to The Old Farmers’ Almanac:
- July 13: Buck moon
- August 11: Sturgeon moon
- September 10: Harvest Moon
- October 9: Hunter’s Moon
- November 8: Beaver Moon
- December 7: Cold Moon
These are the popular names associated with the monthly full moons, but the importance of each may vary among Native American tribes.
Lunar and solar eclipses
There will be one more total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse in 2022, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Partial solar eclipses occur when the moon passes in front of the sun but blocks only part of its light. Be sure to wear proper eclipse glasses to see solar eclipses safely, as sunlight can be harmful to the eye.
A partial solar eclipse on October 25 will be visible to those in Greenland, Iceland, Europe, Northeast Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, India and western China. This partial solar eclipse will not be visible from North America.
A total lunar eclipse will also be shown for those in Asia, Australia, the Pacific, South America and North America on November 8 between 3:01 am ET and 8:58 am ET, but the moon will set. to the west. regions of North America.
Meteor shower
Take a look at the remaining meteor showers that will peak in 2022:
- Southern Delta Aquariids: July 29-30
- Alpha Capricorns: July 30-31
- Perseids: August 11-12
- Orionids: October 20-21
- Southern Taurides: November 4-5
- Northern Taurides: November 11-12
- Leonids: November 17-18
- Geminids: December 13-14
- Ursids: from the 21st to the 22nd of December
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that is not full of city lights for the best view.
Find an open area with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look up. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes, without looking at your phone or other electronic devices, to adjust to the darkness so that meteors are easier to spot.