Strawberry micromoon to light up Monday night sky
This particular full moon is also a micromoon. A micromoon is a name given to a full moon that is in apogee, or farthest from Earth.
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June’s full moon is this Monday night and is known as the Strawberry Moon. The name, of course, has nothing to do with color or appearance; it is named for the delicious strawberries (and other berries) that are now in season.
This particular full moon is also a micromoon. A micromoon is a name given to a full moon that is in apogee, or farthest from Earth. It is technically the second-farthest moon of the year since May’s blue moon was the farthest.
Because it is the first full moon so close to the summer solstice, this moon will travel in a much lower path across the night sky. Compared to last year’s Strawberry Moon, this one will not be quite as low, but close. Last year was the lowest the moon has been since 2006 due to an 18.6-year lunar cycle.
The moon will take the path that the winter sun normally travels in the daytime sky. It will rise slightly south of east in the evening and then set slightly south of west in the morning.
Full moons are visible all night long. Since this is a micromoon, it might appear slightly smaller. To the untrained eye, it is hard to tell unless you compare a supermoon directly with a micromoon. The moon always looks larger when close to the horizon, and that would be the best time to view it.
The moon on Monday night will rise at 8:48 p.m.
