A Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice Line Up Tonight for the First Time in 67 Years
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The first day of summer is officially here, and to make things a little bit sweeter, the Northern Hemisphere will also get to experience a strawberry moon along with the solstice. This is the first time the two astronomical events have lined up since 1967.
“The sun gets super high so this moon must be super-low,” The Old Farmer's Almanac's Bob Berman explained. “Even at its loftiest at 1 a.m., it's downright wimpy-low. This forces its light through thicker air, which also tends to be humid this time of year, and the combination typically makes it amber colored.”
Related: Why We Celebrate the Winter Solstice
You might think the name is describing the color of the moon, but actually the term was coined by Algonquin Native American tribes after the short season in which strawberries can be harvested. Regardless of the name's origin, the moon will be the perfect opportunity for a photo, so make sure you tag #TLPicks.
Related: When Is the Summer Solstice?
If you don’t have the chance to look outside tonight or live in the Southern Hemisphere viewers can still check out the colorful event via the Slooh observatory's live stream from the Canary Islands. If you miss it, you may not see another one in your lifetime because the next strawberry moon isn't expected until 2062.
