The Strawberry Moon is expected to appear more red than usual this week due to weather conditions. The full Moon, named after the ripening of strawberries in June, takes on a reddish hue when it appears lower in the sky at sunset.
Saharan dust and Canadian wildfire smoke could enhance this coloration, making the Moon appear even more vibrant. According to Dr. Tyler Richey-Yowell, postdoctoral fellow at Lowell Observatory, these particles scatter light differently, giving the Moon a reddish tint.
The Strawberry Moon will be fullest early Wednesday morning, but the evening before is the best time to witness its unusual coloration. As the Moon spends more time in the lower portion of the sky, it passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere, which bends light and makes the Moon appear redder and larger.
This phenomenon occurs because smoke particles scatter blue light more than red light, resulting in a reddish hue. The combination of Saharan dust and wildfire smoke will likely amplify this effect, making the Strawberry Moon even more striking.
The full Moon will be visible at its brightest after midnight Pacific time and 3 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday.
Source: https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/why-strawberry-moon-more-red-orange