Charlotte skywatchers will have a rare opportunity to witness a once-in-a-generation lunar event tonight.
This year’s Strawberry Moon will officially be the lowest full moon in nearly two decades, due to a phenomenon called a major lunar standstill. This event, which occurs once every 18.6 years, causes the moon to rise and set at extreme positions along the horizon. As a result, the moon will appear unusually low in the night sky across the Northern Hemisphere.
The moon will rise around 8:30 p.m. EST and reach its peak brightness at 3:44 a.m. on June 11, according to EarthSky.org.
The name “Strawberry Moon” comes from northeastern Native American tribes who marked this full moon with the ripening of June-bearing strawberries. Some tribes also call it the Berries Ripen Moon, signifying the seasonal bloom of flowers and fruit.
Another full moon this low in the sky is not expected until 2043, making tonight’s event a unique visual occurrence.
