If you notice the moon just a little brighter and colorful tonight and tomorrow night, know that it is a strawberry moon. The strawberry moon is the most colorful of the year because it takes a low, shallow path across the sky, and that means moonlight must travel through more of the earth’s atmosphere, which can give it a colorful tint. It may look a bit pinkish or red, plus this year, smoke in the atmosphere from Canadian wildfires could act to create more color. According to NASA, the moon will the lowest in the sky that it’s been since 2006. They says it’s because we are in the midst of a major lunar standstill, the inclination of the moon’s orbit is a cycle that happens every 18 point 6 years.
The name strawberry moon is said to have been coined by the Native American Algonquian Tribes in reference to the short strawberry harvesting season that falls around this time of year. So, look to the sky late this evening as the moon rises above the southeastern horizon and catch this once a year sensation.
