WE’RE going to be treated to a Strawberry Supermoon this evening but some photographers have already snapped previews.
The Moon will reach its fullest phase this evening but looks large on the days around a Supermoon event.
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What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon is a combination of two different astronomical effects.
It’s when a new or Full Moon coincides with a perigee – the Moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit.
The Moon has to come within 90% of its closest approach to Earth to be formally defined as a Supermoon.
That means the Moon needs to come within 224,865 miles of Earth and be a Full Moon full stop.
June’s full Moon is called the Strawberry Moon and it will be at its fullest on June 14.
The Super Strawberry Moon is set to be the biggest and brightest Full Moon of the summer.
It will hang low in the sky when it rises on Tuesday evening.
Some earlier risers spotted the Moon looking huge at moonset this morning.
The sweet name is actually more to do with the fruit than the Moon itself, as Nasa explains on its website.
Nasa wrote: “The Maine Farmer’s Almanac first published “Indian” names for the full Moons in the 1930’s.
“According to this Almanac, as the full Moon in June and the last full Moon of spring, the Algonquin tribes called this the Strawberry Moon.
“The name comes from the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries in the north-eastern United States.”
An almanac is an annual publication that lists events.
People across the globe should be able to see the Moon looking vast and potentially pinkish.
June’s Full Moon is always particularly low in the sky, this can make it shine through more of the atmosphere than at other times in the year.
It won’t technically be pink or red but, according to Nasa, its low position can sometimes give the full Moon a reddish or rose color.
Try catching a glimpse after sunset to see if you notice any pinkness.
Another name given to the phenomenon is Mead Moon or the Honey Moon – a time when honey is ripe and ready to be harvested, potentially to be turned into mead.
The 1500s term “honeymoon” may be linked to this full Moon, referring to the first month after marriage.
How to see the Full Moon
Getting a good glimpse of the Strawberry Supermoon is weather dependent.
If you’re lucky enough to get clear skies, look southeast around sunset and you should spot it in its big round glory.
The Full Moon will appear slightly smaller the higher it gets in the evening sky.
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