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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Andrew Griffin

A rare Strawberry Moon will light up UK skies tonight – here’s when to see it

  • The June full Moon , known as the Strawberry Moon, will be the lowest-hanging Moon visible until 2043, tracing an unusually low path across the night sky.
  • This phenomenon is due to an 18.6-year cycle of extreme rising and setting points, making it appear larger than usual when close to the horizon because of the 'Moon illusion'.
  • The name 'Strawberry Moon' originates from the time of year when strawberries are traditionally harvested, not from the Moon's inherent colour.
  • While not inherently strawberry-coloured, the Moon may appear orange, red, or golden when low on the horizon due to Earth's atmosphere scattering light.
  • The full Moon will peak in the early hours of Tuesday, 30 June, and will be visible throughout Monday and Tuesday night, with Tuesday evening offering the best viewing opportunities in the UK due to forecast cloud cover.

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