When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks The Strawberry Moon will spectacularly light up the night skies tonight (Thursday, June 28) when it reaches its full moon phase. The June moon is the seventh full moon to rise the year and signals the halfway point of this year’s 13 full moon phases. But despite its name, the Strawberry Moon will not turn a deep red or pink colour on Thursday night. So why exactly is the June full moon known as the Strawberry Moon?<doc-sep>(CNN) — It's time for another notable celestial event. Be sure to cast your gaze toward the sky tonight for 2018's Strawberry Moon. And for the keen-eyed, there's a heavenly bonus with a prominent appearance from Saturn. So you're not disappointed or confused, first things first: The moon isn't going to actually look like a big round strawberry. That's because in North America, the name comes from Algonquin tribes of Native Americans. This full moon was their sign to harvest wild strawberries , says the Old Farmer's Almanac. This has other names in other parts of the world. In Europe, you may hear it called the Honey Moon, Mead Moon or the Full Rose Moon. In the Southern Hemisphere, it can go by Oak Moon, Cold Moon or Long Night Moon, according to EarthSky.org In the United States, the peak of the full moon happens depending on your time zone. In the Eastern Time Zone, that will happen at 12:53 a.m. Thursday, June 28. Back on the West Coast, peak time will be 9:53 p.m. PT Wednesday, June 27. Related content Does this country have the best stargazing? All of South America, the bulk of North America, western Africa and Portugal will be under the cloak of darkness during the peak. The rest of Europe, eastern Africa, Asia and Australia will all be bathed in daylight at peak full moon. If it's night at your peak time, you might find the moon so bright in the dark sky that it will be hard to look at it for more than a few seconds. But for the best impressions, take a look not at peak time but while the moon is still low on your horizon, says CNN meteorologist Judson Jones. "My favorite time to watch the full moon is as it is rising over the eastern horizon. When the moon is low on the horizon, it allows you to capture the view with objects in the foreground, making the moon appear bigger," Jones said. "Say you are in the city, and you're watching between a couple of buildings or over the skyline, it will make it feel that much bigger and give it more impact." He adds that if you're around the ocean, a lake or mountains, the perspective could be very pleasing. Saturn Now, about that heavenly bonus. You may notice a bright object near the moon. That will be not a star, but Saturn. The ringed planet will be in what's called "opposition," meaning it will be opposite the sun in Earth's sky. You won't be able to see those fabled rings unless you have a telescope, but just pay attention and with the naked eye, you'll see the planet close to the Strawberry Moon. Strawberry Moon events There are places scattered across the USA that are hosting hikes and other viewing events if you'd like to share the moment with fellow space fans. A small sampling: -- Cape St. George Light Museum hosts a sunset/moon viewing atop the lighthouse on St. George Island, Florida. -- Boulder County hosts an interactive presentation followed by a walk to Sandstone Park in Longmont, Colorado. -- Hamilton Gardens in Blairsville, Georgia, is the site of a Strawberry Moon concert. You may want to check astronomy clubs and local parks for possible events in your area. Or is it a Strawberry Moon after all? Space and science are seldom simple things. So while much of the planet is marking the Strawberry Moon in June, NASA designated that in May, as the last full moon of spring is traditionally the Strawberry Moon. In his blog, NASA's Gordon Johnston says the June 27-28 full moon would be called the Buck, Thunder or Rose moon as the first full moon of summer. But no matter what you call it or when you designate it, these moon viewings can be a powerful pull.<doc-sep>Hot on the heels of the Summer Solstice, June’s waxing moon will reach its full lunar phase in the wee hours of June 28, kicking off a summer of celestial happenings. Stargazers are in for a treat since this full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, also happens to arrive during Saturn opposition, meaning Saturn will be at its closest and brightest this year. The spring season stood out for its array of celestial events, including the Lyrid and Eta Aquariid meteor showers. But this summer will offer rare opportunities for stargazers. Events such as Mars opposition in late July will bring the red planet closer to Earth than it has been in 15 years, giving anyone with a telescope the chance to see Mars’ unique features more closely than usual. The Strawberry Moon will be the season’s first celestial event visible to stargazers, and thanks to Saturn opposition occurring on the same night, it won’t disappoint. The Strawberry Moon will share the spotlight with Saturn this year. June’s full moon gets its name because it was believed to kick off the strawberry-picking season on the east coast of the United States. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Algonquin tribes first began calling it the Strawberry Moon to commemorate but also keep track of the changes in the landscape during the summer season. June’s full moon still peaks around the time wild strawberries are ripe for picking on the country’s east coast. On June 27, Earth’s orbit will bring the planet in between Saturn and the sun, which will place Saturn opposite the sun in Earth’s sky and create a rare opportunity to observe the ringed planet throughout the night. Saturn will rise in the southeast sky around sunset, where it will be at its closest and brightest in 2018 before setting in the west around sunrise. Stargazers can catch the Strawberry moon on the night of June 27 as well, reaching its full phase at 12:53 a.m. Eastern on June 28. Saturn will be at its highest in the sky around midnight, making it easy to observe alongside the moon. While the Strawberry Moon will only hang around for one night, there will be opportunities to see Saturn and its bright opposition until September. For the two celestial events to share a set time is a rare treat for stargazers, but it’s just the first of many cosmic happenings slated for this summer.<doc-sep>
The Strawberry Moon will spectacularly light up the night skies of Thursday, June 28 The Strawberry Moon will spectacularly light up the night skies of Thursday, June 28, when it reaches its full moon phase. The June moon is the seventh full moon to rise the year and signals the halfway point of this year’s 13 full moon phases. People took to social media to post their amazement at the spectacular event, with one saying: “It’s a strawberry moon tonight folks. Look up, look up tonight and swoon a bit.” Another added, emphatically: “Been wondering why it’s still kinda light outside...sunset set nearly an hour ago...oh? It’s literally the strawberry moon and I’m living for it.” Despite its name, the Strawberry Moon will not turn a deep red or pink colour on Thursday night. The unusual name can be traced back to Colonial America and the Native American Algonquin tribes. By naming the various phases of the moon, the Algonquin were able to keep track of the seasons and associated changes in the landscape. And the Strawberry Moon signalled the time was right to harvest ripening wild berries. Amy Nieskens of the Old Farmer’s Almanac explained: “June’s moon is known as the Full Strawberry Moon. “Algonquin tribes knew this moon as the time to gather ripening strawberries.” The Strawberry Moon will not turn a deep red or pink colour on Thursday night Excited by the lunar event, another social media user added: “No matter what happened today, tonight is still the first full moon of summer. “Put on your overalls and meet me in the strawberry patch.” A fourth admirer wrote on Twitter: “Take a moment to check out this strawberry moon, friends. “10 really slow deep breaths while looking right at it.” The unusual name can be traced back to Colonial America and the Native Americans The Strawberry Moon is sometimes known as the Hot Moon because it rises with the start of summer or the Hay Moon because of the first hay harvest. The June full moon is also sometimes called the Rose Moon or the Honey Moon. Before June ends, the waning gibbous moon will pair up with Mars, which is now dramatically bright in the sky and headed for its closest and brightest since 2003. Then as Earth turns underneath the stars, the full moon and Saturn will move westward across the sky. Strawberry Moon Tue, June 21, 2016 The strawberry moon is a name given to the full moon in June by Native Americans because it marks the beginning of strawberry picking season. It will not happen again on the summer solstice for another 46 years until June 21, 2062. Play slideshow 1 of 6 A full moon rises behind Glastonbury Tor as people gather to celebrate the summer solstice on June 20, 2016 in Somerset