This month, the Strawberry Moon will be the brightest full moon of June. It will be the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event that will most certainly mesmerize stargazers far and wide. Named by North American Indigenous peoples, the term signifies the time of year when strawberries begin to ripen, marking an important seasonal shift. The name suggests a connection with the strawberry harvest. The real fruit season varies by Australian state. In areas such as Perth and Bundaberg, to take just two examples, June is often the height of harvest season.
Astronomers have found that the Strawberry Moon is one of 18.6-year cycle. It’s during this window that some of the most amazing lunar phenomena occur. This year, the Moon will be at zenith in Brisbane at exact local midnight. It will provide the most amazing backdrop for those who venture outside to see it first-hand! Bushfire smoke and dust can increase the atmospheric extinction, reducing visibility and making the Moon appear with a reddish hue. This interesting phenomenon is possible to witness even without an associated lunar eclipse.
Understanding the Name and Its Origins
The Strawberry Moon takes its name from Indigenous peoples of North America. For the people who lived in these communities, this moon was often understood as the first signal to begin harvesting strawberries. Mr. Woods explains that “the name comes from North American Indigenous peoples, marking the time of the strawberry harvest.”
There’s no disputing that the New Old Farmer’s Almanac has a huge hand in popularizing the names of moons. Among them is the widely popular Strawberry Moon. According to its website, “The Moon names we use in The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from Native American, colonial American, or other traditional North American sources passed down through generations.” This link to ancestral native practices connects our understanding of the importance of natural cycles within agrarian societies.
Strawberry season is just beginning for many growers in Australia. In areas such as Victoria and southern Queensland, it typically starts in earnest in July. Producers in Perth, Bundaberg and Sunshine Coast are preparing to join their strawberry harvest come June. Much of this discrepancy is indicative of strong regional differences in climate and growing conditions.
The Phenomenon of Major Lunar Standstill
This year’s Strawberry Moon equally matches the calendar with a stunningly rare astronomical event called a “major lunar standstill.” Happening approximately once every 18.6 years, this phenomenon results in a drastically different orbital pattern for the Moon. At a major lunar standstill, the Moon moves even more distance across the sky than normal. It attains dramatic heights of elevation and offers a truly arresting display. Mr. Woods elaborates that “these standstills happen because the Moon’s orbit is tilted at a 5 degrees inclination relative to the Earth’s equator and slowly shifts over time.”
It’s incredibly important.” – Professor Jonti Horner, University of Southern Queensland. “If you go out in 9.3 years in June, instead of being overhead, it’ll be 36 degrees lower in the sky,” he notes. This slow-moving change is understated and not immediately obvious to passersby.
Moreover, Professor Horner explains how this phenomenon has historical importance: “The major lunar standstill would have been a generational event, spoken about in stories that passed orally from one generation to the next.” These types of events were probably huge community celebrations that fulfilled both social and spiritual functions.
Observing the Strawberry Moon
If you’re hoping to catch this extraordinary cosmic spectacle, save the date! Professor Horner advises Brisbanites to look up at midnight, when the Moon will be in the ideal position almost straight overhead. He mentions that observing the shadows created by this bright lunar display can be striking: “Look at the length of the shadows … you’ll barely have a shadow.”
Atmospheric conditions can create some stunning effects and often cast the Moon in a reddish glow. If you’re hoping to see the fluorescent pink shimmer it’s famous for, you’ll need to manage your expectations. No, the Strawberry Moon isn’t a lunar eclipse. Therefore, you can reasonably expect it to radiate without making a big splashy change of color under everyday conditions.
