Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice Highlight June Astronomical Calendar

June is here, offering some of the warmest nights of the year for stargazing opportunities. Unfortunately, the month also brings the shortest nights of the year, making it more difficult to time the viewing opportunities. For instance, some parts of the U.S. do not see fully dark conditions until after 10 pm. Here is a look at what to keep your eyes on in June in the night skies.

Strawberry Moon - June 10

The last full moon of the astronomical spring will rise on the night of Tuesday, June 10. The moon will be visible around the world into Wednesday morning, assuming you are lucky enough to have clear skies. The Strawberry Moon nickname goes back centuries to when the Indigenous Peoples of the Northeast used the moniker to mark the beginning of the strawberry crop harvest.

The moon will hover low in the sky, meaning that it could take on a reddish or pink hue this year. This color could make it resemble a strawberry in the literal sense.

Other nicknames for the Strawberry Moon include the Blooming Moon, the Hatching Moon, and the Green Corn Moon. If you miss the chance to see the moon on Tuesday or if Mother Nature has other plans for your area, you can still check it out to a lesser degree on Wednesday night.

Summer Solstice - June 20

While the official start to the meteorological summer happened on June 1, the astronomical summer does not begin until June 20. This happens on the date of the summer solstice at 10:42 pm EDT.

This is the precise moment when the sun's rays are most focused across the Northern Hemisphere, marking the beginning of summer for all areas located north of the equator. The summer solstice is also known as the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Conversely, the date distinguishes the start of the astronomical winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

World Asteroid Day - June 30