Full Strawberry Moon captured over the UK in stunning photos

BBC
By BBC
4 Min Read


The Strawberry Moon appears orange over cliffs in DorsetImage source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / HANG ROSS

The summer’s first full Moon – known as the Strawberry Moon – lit up UK skies in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Skygazers have captured stunning photos of the celestial event, which reached its peak at 00:57 BST.

In the northern hemisphere, June’s full Moon is different from others in the calendar year as it is the lowest-hanging in the sky.

This means it sits closer to the horizon causing something known as the Moon illusion, a phenomenon where the Moon appears larger than when it is positioned high in the sky at other times of the year.

A large white Strawberry Moon in the night sky with black clouds crossing over itImage source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / NICHOLAS
Image caption,

The Strawberry Moon is the first full Moon of meteorological summer

The Strawberry Moon is the first full Moon of meteorological summer

An orange-hued Strawberry Moon sits on the horizon with a city in the foregroundImage source, WEATHER WATCHERS / DARSH_CAPTURES
Image caption,

The full Moon rises low on the horizon over London

The full Moon rises low on the horizon over London

The Strawberry Moon rises behind Seymour Tower, JerseyImage source, MATTHEW MUTTOCK
Image caption,

The Strawberry Moon over Seymour Tower, Jersey

The Strawberry Moon over Seymour Tower, Jersey

Why is it called a Strawberry Moon?

The Strawberry Moon is the name given to the full Moon in June.

This is to do with the time of year that it rises, rather than its actual colour.

Named after the harvest season observed by indigenous Americans, it signalled the time of year that wild strawberries were harvested, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Historically, full Moons were given nicknames to help keep track of time and monitor the changing seasons.

When the Moon does appear pink, red or orange, it is often because of the atmospheric conditions, external.

An orange hued full Strawberry Moon appears in a blue night sky above a still blue sea with a boat floating in it.  The sea reflects the moonlight.Image source, WEATHER WATCHERS / VAUDS
Image caption,

The Strawberry Moon captured over the coast of Guernsey

The Strawberry Moon captured over the coast of Guernsey

The Strawberry Moon shines orange in the background of a harbour in NorfolkImage source, WEATHER WATCHERS / BOBLET
Image caption,

The low-lying full Moon appears more orange than usual as it shines above a Norfolk harbour

The low-lying full Moon appears more orange than usual as it shines above a Norfolk harbour

When is the next full Moon?

If you missed your opportunity to see the full Moon at its peak, it will appear full again on Tuesday night.

After this, there are two more opportunities to spot a full Moon throughout meteorological summer.

The Buck Moon – named after the time male deer sprout new antlers – will rise on 29 July.

This will be followed by the Sturgeon Moon – named after the freshwater fish caught by Native Americans in the Great Lakes – on 28 August.

More on this story

Six spectacular night sky events to put in your diary this summer

Weather for the week ahead



Source link

Share This Article
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *