Why June's 2017 Full Moon Is Seriously Extra

Whether you're super obsessed with space stuff or just like a good excuse to go outside and stargaze, you're going to want to know when the June full moon of 2017 is, because it's pretty special. Yes, the June full moon has its very own name and unique attributes. It's called the strawberry moon, it's known to have a warm pink tint, and this year it's going to be so small, astronomers are calling it a mini-moon — which is actually not that mini. Technically, it's only 14 percent smaller than a super moon, which basically means that it will look like a regular full moon. But if you want to start up #minimoon on Twitter, I won't blame you because it sounds so stinkin' cute. And besides, I think it's only fair that we show excitement for all the moon sizes.

That said, this moon is definitely unique. It's so special, you won't even see it at night! That's right: the best time to see the strawberry moon is actually in the morning. So you're going to have to change up your stargaze game and set your alarm. The best time to see the strawberry moon in all of its pinkish glory will be on June 9, at 9:11 a.m. ET, meaning it shouldn't be too hard to see as you won't have to deal with too much light pollution. Not to mention, there won't be a lot else going on in the sky at that hour, so as long as the skies are relatively clear, you're not going to have any trouble seeing this special event. Finger's crossed for a clear day!

Because this date falls on a summer Friday, I might suggest having a few friends over for breakfast and moon gazing, as this event is pretty special. On-theme moon party ideas might include strawberry mimosas, strawberry tarts, moon pies, and strawberry pancakes, and strawberry macarons that you label strawberry maca-moons because who doesn't need a little kitsch in the morning? Basically, just go ham on strawberries, because they are this special moon's namesake.

A long, long time ago, the Algonquin tribe named June's full moon the strawberry moon because it coincided with the time that their strawberries became ripe enough to be picked. When June's full moon rose, they'd head out to collect their sweet strawberries. It's actually just a coincidental bonus that the strawberry moon sometimes appears pink due to its position in the sky — it's just an illusion and reflection of light. In Europe, where strawberries are not native, this same moon is referred to as the honey moon or the rose moon. Call it what you want, it's gonna be cute.