The Strawberry Moon will rise on Tuesday night, June 10. It will stay bright until early morning on Wednesday, June 11. This will be the lowest full moon in almost 20 years.

Why It's Called the Strawberry Moon

The name comes from the strawberry harvest season. Native American tribes named it after wild strawberries that ripen in June. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name has no link to the moon’s color.

How to Watch the Moon

Go to a place with dark skies. Avoid city lights. Look toward the eastern horizon. A hilltop or open field is a good choice.

Check your local moonrise time online. Use tools like The Old Farmer’s Almanac moonrise calculator.

Chris Palma, a Penn State professor, told AccuWeather, “So there’s a chance it will actually look a little bit reddish or pink, and, and so that may also be part of the origin of the name.”

When to See It Best

The moon will look full on June 10 evening. But it will reach its peak at 3:44 AM ET on June 11.

Why the Moon Looks Low

The moon follows an 18.6-year orbital cycle. John Jardine Goss from EarthSky explained this to USA Today. The sun’s gravity slowly tilts the moon’s orbit. This cycle makes the moon rise lower than usual.

When the moon sits low, its light travels through more of Earth’s atmosphere. This scatters blue light and makes red and orange tones stand out.