Lowest Moon Ever? June's Strawberry Moon Dazzles

The full Moon in June, known as the Strawberry Moon, is set to peak this week, presenting an extraordinary celestial event. It will trace its lowest path across the night sky for observers in the Northern Hemisphere, a configuration not to be repeated until 2043. This low trajectory contributes to the phenomenon known as the Moon illusion, making the Moon appear larger as it nears the horizon.

This particular lunar event occurs at the nadir of an 18.6-year cycle, causing it to remain closer to the horizon compared to winter moons. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite celestial display will be observed. The name 'Strawberry Moon' originates from the traditional strawberry harvest season in June, not the Moon's actual colour.

While the Moon's colour is not inherently changed by its name, atmospheric conditions can lend it reddish or orange hues when low in the sky. Astronomy expert Alan Jones notes that the most dramatic viewing is typically at sunset when atmospheric scattering is strongest. In the UK, the Met Office indicates Tuesday evening will likely offer clearer skies for observation, following potential cloud cover on Monday night. The full Moon's peak is expected in the early hours of Tuesday, June 30, appearing full throughout Monday and Tuesday nights.