Friday's Strawberry Moon will come with a twist for part of the world
By
Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and senior content editor
Published Jun 4, 2020 4:18 PM EST
June’s mild weather may draw more people outside to spend some time under the stars, and stargazers that do look to the heavens this Friday will be greeted by the full Strawberry Moon.
In some areas of the world, this full moon will also be much dimmer than the recent series of supermoons, not because the moon will be farther away from the Earth, but because the moon will pass through part of the Earth’s shadow to create a lunar eclipse.
The moon will officially be 100% full at 3:12 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 5, but it will appear full as it rises on Friday evening until it sets early Saturday.
This makes it the first full moon of meteorological summer, which began on Monday, June 1. This is different than astronomical summer, which starts on the solstice and falls on June 20, 2020.
June’s full moon has taken on a variety of names over the years from different cultures around the globe that are rich in meaning.
In North America, it is commonly referred to as the Strawberry Moon.
“This name originated with Algonquin tribes in eastern North America who knew it as a signal to gather the ripening fruit of wild strawberries,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
The full moon rises behind above the ancient marble Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, southeast of Athens, on the eve of the summer solstice on June 20, 2016. The temple located on a promontory at Cape Sounion, about 70 Km (45 miles) south-southeast of Athens, built 444 BC, and dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In Europe, June’s full moon is called the Mead Moon, the Rose Moon and the Honey Moon.
“June was traditionally the month of marriages, and is even named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. Following marriage comes the “honeymoon,” which may be tied to this full Moon’s name!,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac explained.
This month's full moon takes on a completely different meaning south of the equator as the Southern Hemisphere heads into winter: the Long Night’s Moon. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the Long Night’s Moon takes place in December.
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For part of the world, Friday night will come with an added bonus: the chance to witness a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Several times a year, the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow to create an event known as a lunar eclipse. However, not every eclipse is the same.
On Friday, the moon will pass through only part of the Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra, and will miss the darker inner shadow, known as the umbra. As a result, only one area of the moon will go dark.
This type of eclipse is subtle and can be easily missed by people that take only a quick glance up at the moon during the event.
The first penumbral eclipse of moon of 2017 is seen in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudhry)
Only people in Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa will be able to see the celestial phenomenon as the eclipse will end before the moon rises over the Americas.
The best time to see the penumbral lunar eclipse will be on Friday at 19:25 UT (Universal Time), according to NASA.
North America and South America will miss out on this eclipse, but stargazers in those two continents will get the opportunity to see a similar phenomenon in the near future.
On the night of July 4-5, the moon will once again pass through Earth’s outer shadow, creating yet another penumbral lunar eclipse that will be visible in areas that miss out on June’s lunar eclipse.
In the United States, this will be a great event for stargazers of all ages that are staying up late following Independence Day firework shows. The eclipse is set to occur between 11:07 p.m. EDT July 4 and 1:52 a.m. EDT July 5.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Astronomy
Friday's Strawberry Moon will come with a twist for part of the world
By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and senior content editor
Published Jun 4, 2020 4:18 PM EST
June’s mild weather may draw more people outside to spend some time under the stars, and stargazers that do look to the heavens this Friday will be greeted by the full Strawberry Moon.
In some areas of the world, this full moon will also be much dimmer than the recent series of supermoons, not because the moon will be farther away from the Earth, but because the moon will pass through part of the Earth’s shadow to create a lunar eclipse.
The moon will officially be 100% full at 3:12 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 5, but it will appear full as it rises on Friday evening until it sets early Saturday.
This makes it the first full moon of meteorological summer, which began on Monday, June 1. This is different than astronomical summer, which starts on the solstice and falls on June 20, 2020.
What's in a name?
June’s full moon has taken on a variety of names over the years from different cultures around the globe that are rich in meaning.
In North America, it is commonly referred to as the Strawberry Moon.
“This name originated with Algonquin tribes in eastern North America who knew it as a signal to gather the ripening fruit of wild strawberries,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
The full moon rises behind above the ancient marble Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, southeast of Athens, on the eve of the summer solstice on June 20, 2016. The temple located on a promontory at Cape Sounion, about 70 Km (45 miles) south-southeast of Athens, built 444 BC, and dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In Europe, June’s full moon is called the Mead Moon, the Rose Moon and the Honey Moon.
“June was traditionally the month of marriages, and is even named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. Following marriage comes the “honeymoon,” which may be tied to this full Moon’s name!,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac explained.
This month's full moon takes on a completely different meaning south of the equator as the Southern Hemisphere heads into winter: the Long Night’s Moon. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the Long Night’s Moon takes place in December.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
For part of the world, Friday night will come with an added bonus: the chance to witness a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Several times a year, the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow to create an event known as a lunar eclipse. However, not every eclipse is the same.
On Friday, the moon will pass through only part of the Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra, and will miss the darker inner shadow, known as the umbra. As a result, only one area of the moon will go dark.
This type of eclipse is subtle and can be easily missed by people that take only a quick glance up at the moon during the event.
The first penumbral eclipse of moon of 2017 is seen in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudhry)
Only people in Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa will be able to see the celestial phenomenon as the eclipse will end before the moon rises over the Americas.
The best time to see the penumbral lunar eclipse will be on Friday at 19:25 UT (Universal Time), according to NASA.
Related:
North America and South America will miss out on this eclipse, but stargazers in those two continents will get the opportunity to see a similar phenomenon in the near future.
On the night of July 4-5, the moon will once again pass through Earth’s outer shadow, creating yet another penumbral lunar eclipse that will be visible in areas that miss out on June’s lunar eclipse.
In the United States, this will be a great event for stargazers of all ages that are staying up late following Independence Day firework shows. The eclipse is set to occur between 11:07 p.m. EDT July 4 and 1:52 a.m. EDT July 5.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo