Stargazers should look up to the skies later this week to catch sight of a phenomenon that won’t be seen again until 2043. A rare ‘Strawberry Moon’ is set to grace the night sky this June.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac claims that Native Americans and Europeans named the full moons to “keep track of time and the seasons.” June’s moon was named specifically after the prime time for harvesting strawberries, not just because of its striking colour, which almost matches the fruit itself.
Experts now understand that the colour change is more to do with the location of the moon in its lunar cycle. The Almanac reports that: “[The] moon usually appears reddish when it’s close to the horizon because the light rays must pass through the densest layers of the atmosphere.”
Because the full moon in June sits particularly low in the sky, its closeness to the horizon can intensify that red glow into something rarely seen. This year, people will want to make sure they catch a glimpse of the moon as it won’t look like this again for another few decades.
The Strawberry Moon occurs every year. However, due to the lunar cycle, it hasn’t appeared so low in the sky since 2006 and will not appear again until 2043.
The Strawberry Moon’s red colour comes from experiencing what is known as ‘major lunar standstill’. This happens when the moon reaches its most extreme northern or southern positions in the sky, causing its rise and set to occur at the furthest points along the horizon.
This happens roughly every 18.6 years. So, it’s quite rare to catch the moon looking so red and starwberry-like – with this cycle not coming around again until June 2043, experts predict.
When can I see the Strawberry Moon?
Most reports suggest that Wednesday, June 11, will be the night that people see this natural phenomenon. According to BBC’s Sky at Night Magazine, Brits should keep a close eye on the moon from 10:46pm as this is when the moon rises, although it might already be visible on Tuesday, June 10.
Any spot that is away from the light pollution of cities or towns will be good for stargazing.
How to get good Strawberry Moon pictures?
Most people who witness the red-coloured moon want to remember the moment with a picture. However, it’s millions of miles away – and your smartphone might need some help to capture the best images.
It is possible to capture something special using a smartphone. But there are a few steps to make sure you get it right.
First, turn off your flash and activate HDR mode (if it’s available) to effectively capture both the moon and the landscape as the light diminishes during dusk. Don’t zoom in because digital zoom tends to blur the details. Instead, position the moon within a landscape for greater impact, which is particularly effective during this month’s unusually far-southeast moonrise.
If you’re using a manual photography app, keep the ISO at 100 for a clear shot and try out slower (but not excessively slow) shutter speeds. A tripod will be beneficial, especially when using slower shutter speeds. However, if you don’t have one, you can rest your phone on a wall or ledge.