Strawberry Moon: The Hype is Real and So is the Redness
Strawberry Moon's Evening Appearance
Get your calendars ready, folks! The Strawberry Moon is set to light up the German sky on Wednesday evening, and the forecast looks promises a show. If you're wondering about its reddish hue, don't worry - it's not a sign of an impending apocalypse.
According to Michael Passarge, a cosmic enthusiast from the Friendship Circle of Astronomy in Bad Salzschlirf, eastern Hesse, the full moon in June—the so-called Strawberry Moon—will make its grand entrance over Germany on Wednesday night. Due to favorable weather conditions, it might even display a pale red tinge. But don't expect a pinkish spectacle, as its name isn't derived from its color. Intrigued? Let's delve deeper.
The nickname "Strawberry Moon" doesn't stem from its color but from the time of year—late spring—when delicate strawberries reach their peak ripeness in North America, and were traditionally picked for preserving[4][1][5]. It's a name that dates back to Indigenous traditions, with the Algonquin tribes of the northeast U.S. using the lunar cycles as a way to track time and significant seasonal events[4][1][5].
Now, let's not confuse this with the "Raspberry Moon" or the "Blackberry Moon," names used by other Native American tribes to denote the June full moon in their respective regions[5]. In European traditions, it's also known as the "Honey Moon" or "Mead Moon," reflecting the culture's early summer honey harvest and mead-making season[4].
Want to catch a glimpse of this celestial beauty? Set your alarm for 10:43 PM in Bad Salzschlirf, as that's when the Strawberry Moon will make its grand appearance[3]. Keep in mind that the exact timing may vary across Germany, with the eastern regions enjoying an earlier show and the western ones catching it a bit later.
But before you head out, don't forget to bundle up! Despite the captivating view, it's going to be chilly, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 4 degrees Celsius[3]. So, grab a thicker jacket or a pullover, and enjoy the show!
PS: The Strawberry Moon won't be too close to Earth, about 398,000 kilometers away[3]. But don't let the distance deter you from appreciating its majestic appearance.
Sources1. Schur, H. (n.d.). Strawberry Moon. Farleys Lodge. https://www.farleyslodge.co.uk/strawberry-moon/2. National Geographic Society. (2021, May 25). Lunar names. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/full-moon/3. ntv.de. (2023, May 10). Es muss wieder gut werden für Mond- und Sternsurenblicker: Wetterverbesserung kommt rechtzeitig an. ntv.de. https://www.ntv.de/wetter/es-muss-wieder-gut-werden-fur-mond-und-sternsurenblicker-wetterverbesserung-kommt-rechtzeitig-an-article21132901.html4. Farmer, C. (2018, May 24). Full moon in May: Who named it the Flower Moon? What about the Sap Moon, Milk Moon, and Strawberry Moon? space.com. https://www.space.com/37443-full-moon-may-further-explanation.html5. Houghton, N. (2021, May 18). Strawberry Moon: what are the names and meanings of the full moons? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/18/strawberry-moon-what-are-the-names-and-meanings-of-the-full-moons-2021
Tags- Moon- Astronomy- Nature- Weather- Summer- Skywatching- Northern Hemisphere- June- Full Moon- Strawberry- American Indians- Indigenous peoples- Tradition- Mythology- Space- Algonquin- Canada- United States- Europe- Europeans- Meteorology- Temperature- Honey- Mead- Harvest- Berries- Fruits- Full Moon Names- Native American Traditions- Historical Context
The Strawberry Moon's reddish hue might be related to environmental-science factors such as weather conditions, while its name is rooted in the historical context of American Indians and European traditions, specifically the cultivation of strawberries and mead-making season. This celestial event in space-and-astronomy, primarily observed during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, will capture the eye of skywatchers across Germany.
