When To Catch The Strawberry Moon

If you're super into celestial events, you're going to be really excited about June's full moon — because it's not just any ol' big moon, it's a big ol' pink moon. Yes, that's right, you're going to want know when when to catch the strawberry moon of 2017 because it's most definitely going to be a sight worth seeing — and Instagramming. Let's be honest, that's what we really want to know, right? If something is going to be epic and visible enough to take cool pictures of and bring in those triple digit likes?

No? Just me?

The strawberry moon gets its name not from its color, as you might imagine — it does tend to appear a pale shade of pink, but it is certainly not red with a green hat — but instead from the Algonquin tribes who used June's full moon as a reminder to gather ripening fruit, particularly the strawberries that peak in June. June's full moon meant get those strawberries before the animals eat them and enjoy them for yourself.

In Europe, however, because strawberries are not a native fruit, they refer to the moon as the Rose moon, because of its pinkish red coloring. Other people call it the honey moon, because it can take on a warm tint due to its low position in the sky — as seen from our hemisphere. It's also considered a romantic moon, as now many people get married in the month of June (hence the concept of the honeymoon).

Whatever you want to call it, you're going to want to see it. And lucky for you, this strawberry moon will be coming into view in the morning, so you won't have to stay up late to watch it. At around 9:11 a.m. on the morning of June 9, the strawberry moon will hit its full moon status, likely under a light pink haze that will make it look warm and glowy. Here are some amazing pictures that people have posted online of past strawberry moons to get you excited:

At its peak, the moon looks large, warm, and three dimensional.

You won't need any instruments or telescopes or binoculars to see the moon in all its glory. It will definitely be big and bright enough for you to see by simply looking up. Because the strawberry moon falls on a weekend, you might even want to consider an early morning strawberry brunch. Invite some friends over for breakfast, have some strawberry mimosas and some strawberry parfait and enjoy the pink moon together. If you're feeling really crafty, make a strawberry rhubarb pie or a strawberry shortcake to celebrate the turn of season. Just like the Algonquins knew, June is truly the best time to enjoy strawberries. They're never more sweet or juicy.