How to observe a ‘moon illusion’ when the strawberry full moon peaks tonight (2024)

FAQs

How to observe the strawberry moon tonight? ›

For optimal viewing, Dyches recommends looking when the moon is rising or setting to see the effects of the moon illusion. No equipment is needed to view a full moon, but a telescope or pair of binoculars could enhance its features, according to NASA's Moon Viewing Guide.

Where to see the full Strawberry Moon. The best place to view the Moon would be somewhere high up that faces east or an east-facing coast.

Full Moon - The Moon's illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight.

The Strawberry Moon will hit peak illumination at 9:08 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024. But you will have three evenings where the moon appears full, from Thursday evening into Sunday early morning, according to NASA.

When is the Strawberry Moon visible? The Strawberry Moon will peak on Friday, June 21, at 21:08 ET. This year, it holds special significance as it coincides with the summer solstice. According to NASA, this will create conditions that could see the moon appear in its fullest for up to three days.

Focus particularly along the terminator line between light and dark, where features will cast long shadows that make them clearer. Choose binoculars with a magnification of 7 at a minimum. Though a magnification of 10 or 15 will provide more detail, you may need a tripod to steady them.

In general, the proposed explanations have to do with a couple of key elements of how we visually perceive the world: how our brains perceive the size of objects that are nearer or farther away, and how far away we expect objects to be when they're close to the horizon.

The object appears much smaller while viewed this way. Hence, the reasons why the Moon illusion disappears when we look at it upside-down and between our legs are that we roll our eyes downwards (if in the upright position) to look at it and we look at it through a fixed viewing frame of the legs.

Get somewhere high up that faces east, or visit an east-facing coast, both of which will give you a clear view of the horizon—and the best views of the “Strawberry Moon,” clear skies allowing. Unaided eyes are perfect, though a pair of binoculars will give you a stunning close-up.

Despite its name, June's full moon will not look like a strawberry. But the bright orb could still turn heads Friday night with an appearance that is bigger and more colorful than the average moon.

What are you supposed to do on a Strawberry Moon? ›

A last quarter moon, the seventh of the eight phases of the moon. Depicts the moon as a cratered disc, its left side half illuminated in gold or silver, its remainder dark. May be used to represent the moon more generally, nighttime, outer space, and astronomy. May also be used to convey enchanting or eerie feelings.

The Full Moon emoji 🌕 depicts the celestial object as a round, yellow orb with visible craters. The emoji is used to represent all things lunar, outer space, the night, spiritual sisterhood, and, occasionally, the butt.

The Full Moon rises at sunset. The Full Moon rises at sunset and can be seen against a starry night sky. The side of the Moon facing Earth can be seen to be fully illuminated by the Sun. The Full Moon sets early in the morning as the sun is rising.

It's the Strawberry Moon

Many species of berries ripen in early summer, including some strawberries. When and where to look: Look for the bright, round moon in the east in the evening, highest in the sky around midnight, and in the west before sunrise on June 22.

How to see the 'Summer Triangle' in the night sky. Because the moon appears full for three days a month surrounding its peak, the strawberry moon will be visible to almost everyone worldwide.