Full moon: NASA scientist explains why moon appears ‘brighter’
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Tonight’s Full Moon is known as the Strawberry Moon – the title given to the maximum lunar spectacle for June. The name originates from North America, where native tribes associated the rising of the June Moon with the blossoming of berries.
Strawberries are native to North America, and before the 1600s Europe had never heard of the fruit.
Before strawberries were introduced to this side of the pond, the June Full Moon was known as the Rose Moon due to the blossoming of roses.
The Farmer’s Almanac said: “At this time of year, when spring turns to summer and the flowers of May begin to fade, berries burst forth from bushes.
“To the Algonquin tribes who once roamed much of North America, June was synonymous with strawberries.
“This sweet, tangy and nutritious wild food staple was only available for a short time each year.
“So June’s full Moon naturally came to be known as the Strawberry Moon, a name that was universal to every tribe.
“In Europe where strawberries were once unknown, June’s full Moon was most commonly known as the Rose Moon.”
However, the Strawberry Moon will also be what is known as a Supermoon.
On average, the Moon is 238,000 miles from Earth, but during a supermoon the can be 221,000 miles away from our planet.
This is because the Moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle and is actually slightly oval.
When it is at its closest point, the Moon is known as a Supermoon.
According to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, the Moon will reach its absolute peak at 7.39pm BST this evening.
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But this will be the final Supermoon of the year.
Time & Date said we will have to wait a year until the next one which takes place on June 14, 2022.
However, after that, we will not have to wait long with three more coming up in quick succession.
On July 12, 2022, there will be another Supermoon.
In August of 2022, there will be a mesmerising double of Supermoons, with one on the first day of the month and one on the final day.
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