The Strawberry Moon: A Timeless Celestial Phenomenon

The Strawberry Moon: A Timeless Celestial Phenomenon

The strawberry moon will light up the night sky this weekend, reaching peak illumination at 11:42 p.m. ET on Saturday and appearing full for three days, according to NASA.

The name of this last full moon of the spring has nothing to do with the moon's appearance or color.

It got its name from Native American tribes “to mark the ripening of ‘June-bearing’ strawberries that are ready to be gathered,” according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Moon gazers in Argentina and the Atlantic Daylight Time zones are in for a treat this year as they'll see Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, a few degrees to the right of the moon.

At dusk on Saturday, Venus and Mars will be visible in the sky - Venus appearing as a bright star near the horizon, and Mars looking like a dim reddish star.

Venus will set in the west, appearing as a very bright star near the horizon, while Mars will be visible just next to Venus and will look like a dim reddish star to the top left of Venus.

The June moon also has various names that represent seasonal or cultural customs, such as the Europeans' honeymoon and Hinduism's Vat Purnima.

This full moon isn't the last chance to catch a cool celestial event this year. 2023 has 13 full moons, including two supermoons in August.

The Buck Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Blue Moon, Harvest Moon, Hunter's Moon, Beaver Moon, and Cold Moon are the remaining full moons in 2023.

Two eclipses are also on the calendar for this year: an annular solar eclipse on October 14 and a partial lunar eclipse on October 28.

The Southern Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids, Perseids, Orionids, Southern Taurids, Northern Taurids, Leonids, Geminids, and Ursids meteor showers are also worth watching for throughout the year.

It's important to protect your eyes when viewing solar eclipses. Be sure to wear eclipse glasses to avoid serious eye damage from the sun's harmful rays.

In conclusion, the strawberry moon is a timeless celestial phenomenon that has fascinated people for centuries.

But it's not the only celestial event worth watching for this year. Keep an eye out for other full moons, eclipses, and meteor showers to experience the wonders of the night sky.

Here are the forthcoming celestial events in 2023: Buck Moon: July 3, 2023 Sturgeon Moon: August 1, 2023 Blue Moon: August 30, 2023

– Harvest Moon: September 29, 2023 – Hunter's Moon: October 28, 2023 – Beaver Moon: November 27, 2023 – Cold Moon: December 26, 2023 – Annular Solar Eclipse: October 14, 2023

– Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower: July 30-31, 2023 – Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower: July 30-31, 2023 – Perseids Meteor Shower: August 12-13, 2023

– Orionids Meteor Shower: October 20-21, 2023 – Southern Taurids Meteor Shower: November 4-5, 2023 – Northern Taurids Meteor Shower: November 11-12, 2023

– Leonids Meteor Shower: November 17-18, 2023 – Geminids Meteor Shower: December 13-14, 2023 – Ursids Meteor Shower: December 21-22, 2023

Experience the wonders of the night sky and mark your calendars for upcoming celestial events!