On June 4, 2023 at 5:43 a.m. (Paris time), the sky will be illuminated by a full moon, specifically named the "Strawberry Moon". This celestial spectacle recurs at the same time every year, adding a note of mystery to the beauty of our natural satellite. This full moon, a designation bestowed by the American space agency NASA, is not so named for its color or shape, but for a Native American cultural tradition dating back to the 1930s.
It was in the northeastern United States that the June full moon was nicknamed Strawberry Moon. The name refers to the region's relatively short strawberry harvest season.
Other nicknames for the moon:
In Europe, it's known as the "rose moon", in connection with the flowering of roses at this time of year. - The term " honeymoon" could also have the same origin, corresponding to the honey harvest season and a time of year when weddings are frequent.
However, observation with the naked eye does not distinguish this supermoon from other full moons. The term "supermoon" is not official in astronomy either, but was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979.
Why is it special? During its "perigee-syzygy", the supermoon or "strawberry moon " can appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. What's more, it's the lowest full moon of the year in the northern hemisphere.
When to watch the Strawberry Full Moon 2023?
From June 2 to 4, 2023, the Moon will be full and bright in the sky. It will rise alongside the red supergiant Antares in the constellation Scorpio.
So, let's get out the telescope to admire this unique celestial experience. After the Strawberry Moon, the next super full moon to light up the sky will be the Buck Moon, on July 3, 2023. Not to be missed!
