Winter has kicked off in style around Australia, with the Aurora Australis putting on an incredible show earlier this month. And the celestial magic isn’t over yet — a stunning Strawberry Moon is set to illuminate the night sky tonight. This full moon will also be the closest to Earth this year. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to see it and when it will peak.
What is a strawberry moon?
The name “Strawberry Moon” doesn’t actually come from the moon’s color. It dates back to the 1930s when the Maine Farmer’s Almanac started using Native American names for full moons. The June full moon got called the Strawberry Moon because it happens during harvest time, when strawberries are ready to be picked. In some places, people also call it the Rose Moon, Hot Moon, and Mead Moon.
Although it may conjure images of a rose-tinted or reddish moon, the moon usually looks its normal pale colour, but it can seem larger and brighter, depending on the weather and where you’re looking from.
When can you see the Strawberry Moon?
The Strawberry Moon will be officially full on Wednesday, June 11, at 5.43pm in Sydney. Although the peak occurs in the early evening, the best viewing is expected after sunset. For the precise full moon timing in your area, head here.
Why will June’s full moon look different in Australia?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the full moon will hang low near the horizon all day and evening — the lowest moonrise in nearly 2 decades. Meanwhile, here in the Southern Hemisphere, skygazers will be treated to the highest full moon of the year, and the highest over Australia since 2006. It will rise nearly overhead, making it appear larger and more impressive than usual.
How can you see it?
You don’t need any special gear to enjoy the view — just look up. But if you want to make the most of it, a few simple tips can help. You could catch it in your backyard or head somewhere remote with little light pollution for the full experience. In NSW, some stellar Dark Sky options include Coonabarabran — home to the Southern Hemisphere’s first official dark sky park — and Sydney’s own Urban Night Sky Place, the first of its kind in this part of the world.
Read more about the Strawberry Moon here.