Strawberry moon appearing in the night sky during evening hours
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Get ready for the much-anticipated Strawberry Moon to make its grand appearance over Germany this week! The weather forecast looks promising for optimal viewing, as the moon may grace us with a pale red hue in the evening sky. But why is this celestial event named after a juicy fruit? Rest assured, it's not because of its color.
According to Michael Passarge from the Friendship Circle of Astronomy in Bad Salzschlirf, eastern Hesse, this moniker originates from the strawberry harvest season that occurs in June. "The Strawberry Moon is the old folk name for the full moon in June," confirms Uwe Pilz, chairman of the Association of Star Friends based in Bensheim, southern Hesse.
Weather Prospects: Clear Skies Ahead
Curious about the exact hour the Strawberry Moon will debut in Bad Salzschlirf? Passarge provides the answer: "You can expect it around 10:43 p.m." Keep in mind, the moon's rising time varies across Germany, with eastern regions catching it earlier and western regions observing it later.
With a clear weather front on the horizon, it seems as though the heavens have conspired to offer a perfect viewing opportunity. nod to moon and star gazers., ntv meteorologist Bjoern Alexander suggests, "The weather improvement arrives just in time for moon and star gazers." Some residual cloud formations may persist in the northeast, but for the majority of Germany, the night will be clear to partly cloudy, allowing for optimum moon peering.
Be prepared for cooler temperatures, as the mercury dips to between 10 to 4 degrees Celsius, with milder climes only along the Upper Rhine and the North Sea, reaching 12 or 13 degrees. A technical coat or sweater can be your ally for the outdoor observance.
Close Encounters of the Lunar Kind
So, just how close will the Earth's companion be on Wednesday evening? Passarge shares the expected distance: approximately 398,000 kilometers away. "Don't expect it to be too close," he advises.
Shortly after rising, the moon will appear larger than when it's high in the sky. Passarge explains, "This is an optical illusion." When the moon is above the horizon, surrounding objects like trees or buildings can create a sense of size comparison, leading to the apparent increase in the moon's size.
Exploring the Moon's Distance from Earth
Interested in brushing up on planetary science? The German Aerospace Center (DLR) indicates that, on average, the moon is about 400,000 kilometers away from Earth[2]. However, that distance isn't fixed, as the moon's path is not a perfect circle. Factors such as the gravitational pull of the sun, the forces between the moon and Earth, and Earth's inconsistent mass distribution all influence the shifting distance[3].
Source: ntv.de, kst/dpa
Must-Knows:
- The Strawberry Moon, appearing in June, is named after the strawberry harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The projected distance between the Earth and the moon during the Strawberry Moon is around 398,000 kilometers.
- The rising time of the moon varies across Germany, with eastern regions catching it earlier and western regions observing it later.
- The best time to observe the Strawberry Moon is after it rises, as this creates a sense of size comparison with surrounding objects like trees or buildings.
- Be prepared for cooler temperatures when viewing the Strawberry Moon, as the climate is expected to be between 10 to 4 degrees Celsius.
[1] New World Encyclopedia. (2023). Strawberry Moon. Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Strawberry_Moon[2] German Aerospace Center (DLR). (2023). Moon. Retrieved from https://www.dlr.de/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-108/1431_read-2181[3] Squeegee.com. (2023). Moon Phases. Retrieved from https://www.squeegee.com/mrk/uk/article/planetarium-info-moon-phases---current-position-of-the-moon
During the upcoming Strawberry Moon, you can learn more about astronomy and environmental science as you examine the celestial event's distance from Earth – approximately 400,000 kilometers – a value influenced by factors such as the gravitational pull of the sun, Earth's inconsistent mass distribution, and the forces between the moon and Earth. Keep in mind that the Strawberry Moon's name originates from the strawberry harvest season in June, not its color. As you prepare for observation, remember to bundle up, as temperatures are expected to be between 10 to 4 degrees Celsius, making a technical coat or sweater a valuable companion.
