London’s skies will see an ultra-rare phenomenon when the large ‘Strawberry Moon’ casts an reddish glow above the capital this evening (June 11). The lunar event, where the full moon will sit at it’s lowest point since 2006, won’t be repeated until the 2040s, making it an exciting sight for stargazers across the UK.
Caused by ‘major lunar standstill’, tonight marks the end of an 18.6-year cycle where the moon rises and sets at its most northerly and southerly points. As such, it will appear much closer – and bigger – than usual.
Sadly, the moon won’t exactly live up to it’s fruit-themed moniker, as although the moon will have a faint tinge as it reaches the horizon, it’s name is in fact thanks to Native American culture. They gave each full Moon a traditional name reflecting natural events or seasonal changes.
For example, January’s full Moon is the Wolf Moon, owing to the hunger faced by the animal in midwinter, whilst May has the Flower Moon, due to the blooming buds of Spring. Early farmers dubbed June’s full Moon ‘Strawberry’ as it aligns with harvesting season, with some countries adapting it to ‘Rose’ or ‘Hot’ to suit their climate.
When can I see the Strawberry Moon?
This year’s Strawberry Moon was visible to some yesterday evening but will hit it’s peak brightness tonight (Wednesday, June 11). Brits should keep a close eye on the southeast horizon from around 10.20pm, according to the BBC’s Sky at Night.
For Londoners, this means looking out towards Hackney, Canary Wharf and Greenwich as the moon begins it’s ascent into the sky. Astronomers recommend choosing a unobstructed location such as hills, parks or open fields for the best view.
Luckily, the Met Office is predicting clear skies so the chances of seeing the Strawberry Moon are high.
How to get good Strawberry Moon pictures?
Naturally, many people will want to remember the once-in-a-generation moon with a photograph. However, smartphones often struggle to capture it in all it’s glory as although closer than normal, space is still millions of miles away.
Taking a photo of the night sky is possible but there are a few steps to ensure you get it right. Firstly, switch off your flash and activate HDR mode to effectively capture the moon during dusk.
Avoid zooming in too much as digital zoom tends to blur the details. Instead, put your phone in to landscape mode.
You’ll also want to opt for a slower shutter speed due to the lack of light.
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