June's full moon is almost here. When to see the strawberry moon and why it's called that

The sixth full moon of 2023 is not too far away. For sky watchers in the Phoenix area, June's "strawberry moon" will be visible in the night sky early in the month.

This lunar event, when the moon is fully illuminated upon its approach to Earth, follows the Jan. 6 wolf moon, the Feb. 5 snow moon, the March 7 worm moon, the April 5 pink moon and the May 5 flower moon.

Moon watchers should be aware that the exact timing of the sunset and moonrise will vary depending on where they are.

Read on to find out what time to see the June 2023 full moon, why it's called the strawberry moon and a calendar of all the full moons of 2023.

Space spuds: These 5th grade girls wondered how potatoes grew in space. NASA is going to find out

What day in June is the full moon?

The June 2023 full moon comes on Saturday, June 3. Peak illumination will occur at 8:43 p.m. Arizona time, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

The best time to view this full moon will be just after sunset, when you can watch it rise gently above the horizon if you have a clear view toward the southeast, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

What is the June 2023 full moon called?

June's full moon is known as the strawberry moon for the strawberries and other fruits that ripen in the summer months. The moon's name has its origins from Native Americans, attributed to the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota tribes.

Other nicknames for the June full moon include the blooming moon, green corn moon and egg-laying moon.

When is the next full moon?

After June's strawberry moon, the next full moon is the buck moon on July 3.

Here's every full moon in 2023

Here is the entire 2023 full moon calendar:

  • Friday, Jan. 6.

  • Sunday, Feb. 5.

  • Tuesday, March 7.

  • Wednesday, April 5.

  • Friday, May 5.

  • Saturday, June 3.

  • Monday, July 3.

  • Tuesday, Aug. 1.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 30.

  • Friday, Sept. 29.

  • Saturday, Oct. 28.

  • Monday, Nov. 27.

  • Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Moon research: ASU spacecraft on NASA's Artemis mission will search for water on moon

Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: June full moon: Here's when to see the 2023 strawberry moon