June’s full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, is gracing the night sky this week, but it’s doing something unusual: it’s riding incredibly low. This rare spectacle is thanks to a fascinating cosmic event called a major lunar standstill. This article explains why the Strawberry Moon is so low this year and how you can see this unique celestial display.
Contents
The Cosmic Wobble: Understanding the Lunar Standstill
You might think the Moon always follows the same path across our sky, but its movement is more complex. The Moon’s orbit isn’t aligned perfectly with Earth’s equator or Earth’s path around the Sun; it’s tilted. This tilt varies slightly over an 18.6-year cycle.
A major lunar standstill is the point in this cycle when the Moon’s tilt relative to Earth’s equator reaches its maximum extreme. During this time, the Moon appears to rise and set at its most extreme northern and southern points on the horizon. Consequently, depending on the time of year and phase, it will appear to ride either unusually high or unusually low across the sky. For the full moon in June this year, this means it takes a significantly lower path than usual – the lowest it has been in about 18 years.
Strawberry Moon shining brightly in the night sky
Think of it like a swing set: the Moon’s path is like the swing. Normally, it swings to a moderate height. During a major standstill, the swing goes to its absolute highest or lowest possible point. This year, for the June full moon, we’re seeing the “lowest swing” of the cycle.
Seeing the Low Moon: A City Challenge
While a low-hanging moon can be a spectacular sight near the horizon, it also presents a challenge, especially for city dwellers. Buildings, trees, and other structures can easily block your view when the Moon doesn’t climb very high above the horizon. For instance, in New York City, this low-riding full moon might reach a maximum height of only about 20 degrees above the horizon – that’s roughly the height your hand spans with fingers together at arm’s length, stacked twice.
Finding a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the southern horizon is key if you want to observe the Strawberry Moon in person as it crosses its lowest point in the sky.
Can’t See It? Watch Online!
If you live in an area with lots of buildings, if clouds roll in, or if you just prefer the comfort of your home, you don’t have to miss this unique celestial event. Two organizations are offering free livestreams:
Virtual Telescope Project
The Virtual Telescope Project (VTP) will host a live stream featuring views from their robotic telescopes in Tuscany, Italy. The broadcast is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET (1930 GMT) on June 11. Founded by astrophysicist Gianluca Masi, VTP aims to make the universe accessible to everyone, regularly streaming astronomical events.
Thumbnail image for Virtual Telescope Project livestream of the Strawberry Moon
Griffith Observatory
The famous Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles will also provide a live stream of the Strawberry Moonrise. Their broadcast will begin at 11:42 p.m. ET on June 11 (0342 GMT on June 12), capturing the Moon rising from its most southerly position in 18 years from their location.
Thumbnail image for Griffith Observatory livestream of the Strawberry Moon rise during the lunar standstill
Both livestreams are accessible online and require only a device with an internet connection.
A Unique View and What Comes Next
This week’s Strawberry Moon offers a unique chance to witness the fascinating mechanics of our solar system in action, specifically the cyclical nature of the Moon’s orbit and the rare event of a major lunar standstill. While finding a clear view might be tricky due to its low altitude, the option to watch online ensures that everyone can experience this unusual celestial display. This low ride is just one phase in the slow, 18.6-year cosmic dance the Moon performs, reminding us of the ever-changing views our night sky provides.
