The night sky in June 2024 is set to be illuminated by the full ‘strawberry moon,’ providing a delightful sight for stargazers as the summer solstice heralds the official beginning of summer. The strawberry moon, despite its name, will not appear red like the fruit but will shine brightly, reaching its fullest phase at 9:07 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, June 21, and will be rising exceptionally low in the sky.

According to experts, this upcoming strawberry moon will be the lowest full moon seen in years, creating a unique celestial display for observers. Moon enthusiasts can catch a glimpse of the 97% illuminated moon as it ascends in the southeastern sky in the New York City region around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, June 20. The moon will achieve full illumination at around 8:50 p.m. on Friday, June 21, and will remain 100% full on Saturday, June 22, rising at 9:45 p.m.

The term ‘strawberry moon’ is a popular nickname for the June full moon, derived from the short strawberry harvesting season in northeastern North America. This moniker has been embraced by various Algonquin tribes across the United States. While the moon may not appear red in most regions, it can take on a reddish hue when rising in northern parts of Europe, especially close to the summer solstice when it appears lower in the sky.

According to NASA, the reddish tint observed in the June full moon is due to the sunlight passing through more atmospheric layers at higher latitudes, similar to the phenomenon of a red sunrise or sunset. As the sun’s rays bounce off the Earth and into the lower atmosphere before reflecting off the moon, the moon can exhibit a rose or reddish coloration.

Aside from being known as the strawberry moon, the June full moon has alternative names in different cultures. In Europe, it is sometimes referred to as the ‘rose moon’ due to the blooming of roses in late June. Additionally, it is called the ‘hot moon’ by some communities as it typically coincides with the peak of summer heat.