This month’s full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, will appear low on the southern horizon due to a rare lunar phenomenon called the major lunar standstill. The term “Strawberry Moon” was given by the Algonquian people, who associated it with short fruit harvesting season.
The full moon phase technically occurs at 3:44 am EDT on June 11 but will rise above the southeastern horizon at sunset on June 10, appearing completely lit as it does. The lunar disk appears larger than expected when it’s near the horizon due to a phenomenon called the “moon illusion.”
As the moon rises, its yellow-orange hue is scattered by the atmosphere, which affects our perception of light. Due to the major lunar standstill, this month’s full Strawberry Moon will be at an extreme position on the horizon, resulting in the lowest full moon visible since 2006.
This occurs due to a 5-degree tilt in the moon’s orbit relative to Earth’s ecliptic and gravitational pull by our sun. The moon orbits around us in an 18.6-year cycle, but its path is tilted at various angles during different periods. Currently, we’re experiencing a major lunar standstill, which occurs every two years and causes extreme positions on the horizon.
The Strawberry Moon will ride low due to the position of Earth’s celestial equator and sun’s gravitational influence. As the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer solstice, this moon’s path through the sky is also affected. Due to these conditions, this month’s full Strawberry Moon has become more visible as it reaches its lowest point in nearly two decades.
Space enthusiasts can observe this rare event by looking up tonight as the Strawberry Moon rises over the southeastern horizon on June 10.
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/junes-strawberry-moon-rises-tonight-heres-what-to-expect-from-the-lowest-full-moon-since-2006