Strawberry Moon To Appear In The Skies On June 14 — Know All About It

The Strawberry Moon is also referred to as the Rose moon, Hot moon, Honey moon or Mead moon. The supermoon which appears around this time of the year gets its name from the strawberry picking season.

Strawberry Moon

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Stargazers are in for a real treat this week because the Strawberry moon, or June’s full Moon, is right around the corner.

The Strawberry Moon is also referred to as the Rose moon, Hot moon, Honey moon or Mead moon. The supermoon which appears around this time of the year gets its name from the strawberry picking season, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. This is because June is the month when wild strawberries are ready to be harvested. It is also called Honey Moon because it comes at the time when honey is ready to be harvested.

In India, on the day of the appearance of the Strawberry Moon, Hindus in the northern and western states observe a festival called Vat Purnima. The day of Vat Purnima is based on the legend of Savitri and Satyavan and women keep fast on this day for their partner’s long life. 

Lunar phases occur almost every month. It happens when the moon is located opposite to the sun while Earth is between them. During this time, the side of the moon which faces Earth brightens up thereby forming a complete circle. 

The Strawberry Supermoon

June’s strawberry moon is also referred to as “Super Moon” because it is at perigee, a point in its orbit closest to Earth.

According to NASA, a “supermoon” happens when a full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit. ‘Supermoon’ is not an official term in astronomical parlance. When a full moon comes within at least 90 per cent of perigee is described as a 'supermoon', NASA says.

Supermoons occue only three to four times a year. 

This year, the Strawberry Moon will appear in the skies on June 14 at 7:52 am EDT, but will appear to be complete one day before and after too — i.e. on June 13 and June 15.

The Moon will reach its peak around 5:22 pm IST but will look equally beautiful one night before and after. People can observe the exquisite Strawberry Moon using binoculars.

This is the second of four consecutive supermoons that will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere this summer. The next two will occur on July 13 and August 11.