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Science Series: Strawberry Moon
Science of the Strawberry Moon: Tonight
First Full Moon of the Summer
Strawberries emerge in May and ripen in June, giving their name to June’s Full Moon. This Strawberry Moon, which often coincides with the Summer Solstice, will reach peak illumination in the United States on Friday, June 21, at 9:08 p.m., E.T.
It also goes by other names: Green Corn Moon, Hot Moon, and Berries Ripen Moon.
That Which We Call a Strawberry Moon
Where does it get its name?
I’ve previously written about two other full moons, the Blue Moon and the Sturgeon Supermoon. Historians are divided on the origin of the various moon names we use today.
Some historians claim the names come from Celtic or neo-pagan names. Other historians argue that it was the interpretation of the early English Colonists in America who were trying to understand the Native American names.
Western tradition has been based on a solar calendar since Roman times. The Julian Calendar was introduced over two millennia ago, and the later Gregorian Calendar is still in use today.
Some societies use a lunisolar calendar, like the Hebrew and Chinese Calendars. The Native…
