The Strawberry Moon will peak tomorrow in the early morning hours of Monday, June 17. Here in the UK, the Moon will reach full illumination around 9.30am BST when the glowing orb is still below the horizon. In order to see the Strawberry Moon, you will have to wait until moonrise around 9.30pm BST in the evening. However, once the Moon does arrive in the night skies it will be exceptionally bright and beautiful.
When is the next Full Moon? What is the Moon called?
After the Strawberry Moon makes its glowing appearance this month, the next Full Moon is the Buck Moon.
The Buck Moon is traditionally the seventh Full Moon of the year in July.
This year, the Moon will light up in the late hours of Tuesday, July 16.
READ MORE: When is the next TOTAL eclipse of the Sun?
When viewed from the UK, the Full Moon will peak in brightness around 10.38pm BST or 9.38pm UTC.
By that point, the Moon will have already spent about two hours in the sky, so you will not miss it.
But what about the Full Moon’s unusual name? Why is the July Moon the Buck Moon?
Just like the June Strawberry Moon, the Buck Moon’s name is indicative of the time of the year.
READ MORE: What happened to the American flag on the Moon?
The Strawberry Moon, for instance, signals wild strawberries are ripening around the start of summer.
The Buck Moon, on the other hand, is named after deer growing their antlers at this time of the year.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac guide to nature and astronomy, Native American tribes would name the phases of the Moon after the changing seasons.
Amy Nieskens of the Almanac explained: “July’s Full Moon is called the Full Buck Moon because at this time bucks begin to grow new antlers.
“It is also known as the Thunder Moon became thunderstorms are frequent this time of the year.”
READ MORE: NASA vows to land on the dark side of the Moon by 2020
What are all of the Full Moons this year?
There are a total of 12 Full Moons to grace the night skies this year.
- January 21 – Wolf Moon
- February 19 – Snow Moon
- March 21 – Worm Moon
- April 19 – Pink Moon
- May 18 – Flower Moon
- June 17 – Strawberry Moon
- July 16 – Buck Moon
- August 15 – Sturgeon Moon
- September 14 – Full Corn Moon
- October 13 – Hunter’s Moon
- November 12– Beaver’s Moon
- December 12 – Cold Moon