LOOKING FOR SOMETHING to do over the next few evenings? You might want to cast your eyes skyward as June’s Strawberry Moon rises over Ireland.
Astronomy Ireland is encouraging people to head outside tonight and on Monday and Tuesday evening to catch the full moon, which is expected to put on an impressive display as it rises low over the horizon.
Despite its name, the Strawberry Moon isn’t actually pink or red.
The June Full Moon is known as the ‘Strawberry Moon’ as it coincides with fruit coming into season and strawberries bloom in June.
However, the moon can sometimes appear orange or reddish when it is close to the horizon because its light has to pass through more of Earth’s atmosphere before reaching our eyes.
This year’s June full moon is also one of the lowest full moons of the year in the sky, meaning it will hug the horizon for much of the night.
That makes it appear unusually large thanks to a well-known optical trick called the ‘moon illusion’, where the moon looks much bigger when seen alongside trees, buildings and other landmarks, even though its actual size hasn’t changed.
The best time to watch is around moonrise, which happens shortly after sunset.
The moon is expected to rise at around 9.30pm this evening, 10.15pm on Monday and 10.45pm on Tuesday, remaining visible for several hours afterwards, weather permitting.
Astronomy Ireland’s David Moore said summer full moons are “always impressive” because they remain so low in the sky.
“It’s going to be an amazing sight to the naked eye that every person in Ireland should watch as Ireland is fairly unique in having the Moon this low,” Moore said.
Astronomy Ireland is also inviting people to send in their best photos or observations of the Strawberry Moon for possible publication in the society’s magazine.