“Strawberry Moon” lights up the sky this week

The June full moon, known as the “strawberry moon”, will light up the sky during this week.

The moon will appear full from early Sunday night (12) to late Wednesday night (15), according to NASA. It will reach its peak during Tuesday. This year’s strawberry moon is the first of two consecutive supermoons.

Although there is no single definition, the term supermoon generally refers to a full moon that appears to be larger and brighter than others because it is closer to Earth’s orbit.

To the casual observer, the supermoon may appear similar in size to other moons. However, the noticeable change in brightness increases visibility and creates a great opportunity for people to start paying attention to the Moon and its phases, said Noah Petro, head of NASA’s Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory.

The ideal times to look at the moon are when it is rising or setting, which are the times when it appears largest to the naked eye, said Jacqueline Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History.

Petro recommends that moon watchers find a clear horizon and avoid areas with lots of tall buildings or dense vegetation. He also warns that places with too much artificial light can get in the way of maximum visibility.

The name of the Strawberry Moon is based on traditions of people originating in the Northeast of the USA, from communities such as the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota, who saw the celestial event as a sign that strawberries and other fruits were ready for harvest. , according to the website The Old Farmer’s Almanac, intended to bring together cultural elements of these peoples.

In Europe, this moon is called the Honeymoon or Mead Moon, and historical writings from the region suggest that the honey was ready to be harvested towards the end of the month. Furthermore, the name Honeymoon also refers to the fact that June has a reputation as a popular month for weddings in these countries.

This full moon corresponds to the Hindu festival Vat Purnima, a celebration where married women tie a ceremonial thread to a Ficus tree and fast and pray for their spouses to have a long life.

To Buddhists, this moon is called the Poson Poya Moon, named after a holiday celebrating the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 236 BC.

There will be six more full moons in 2022, according to The Old Farmer’s Alamanac:

• July 13: deer moon
• August 11th: sturgeon moon
• September 10th: harvest moon
• October 9: hunters moon
• November 8th: beaver moon
• December 7th: cold moon

These are the names popularly associated with monthly full moons, but the meaning of each can vary among the different tribes of Native American peoples.

Lunar and solar eclipses

There will be one more total lunar eclipse and one more partial solar eclipse in 2022, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Partial solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, but blocks only part of its light. It is recommended to wear specific glasses to safely view solar eclipses, as sunlight can be dangerous for the eyes.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Europe, Northeast Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, India and West China on October 25th.

A total lunar eclipse will also be visible to those in Asia, Australia, the Pacific, South America and North America on November 8th.

meteor showers

Some meteor showers are still expected to occur in 2022:

• Southern Delta Aquarids: 29th and 30th of July
• Alpha Capricornids: 30th and 31st of July
• Perseids: August 11th and 12th
• Orionids: October 20th and 21st
• Southern Taurids: November 4th and 5th
• Northern Taurids: November 11th and 12th
• Leonidas: November 17th and 18th
• Geminids: December 13th and 14th
• Ursids: December 21st and 22nd

It can be difficult to see rain in urban areas because of the artificial lights that brighten the sky.

To get the best view, you need to find an area with a wide view of the skies. It is recommended to have a chair or sheet to facilitate looking straight up. Staying between 20 and 30 minutes without looking at your cell phone or other electronics can help your eyes get used to the darkness, and make it easier to see meteors.