A Strawberry Moon will be visible this weekend. What it is and how to see it in NC
After what feels like weeks of rain, skies finally should be clear enough this weekend to see June’s full moon, dubbed the Strawberry Moon.
Organizers have planned several events locally to give skywatchers reason to be outside under the lunar orb on what’s also expected to be a pleasantly warm night.
But you don’t have to moon-bathe with a crowd; just find a spot with a good view of the sky, turn off all the lights you can and be looking up just before midnight Saturday.
The earlier in the night, the better, as skies will become increasingly cloudy overnight.
What time does the Strawberry Moon happen?
NASA says the full moon will be exactly opposite the sun at 11:42 p.m. Saturday with the star Antares shining brightly just a few degrees to the right.
If you happen to be at the beach or another spot where you can see the horizon unencumbered by trees, the full moon will be visible to the east-southeast starting at 8:23 p.m.
Why is it called a Strawberry Moon?
June’s full moon is called the Strawberry Moon, the name given it by the Algonquin tribe of Native Americans, some of whom lived in what’s now New England where wild strawberries typically ripen about now.
Other names for it are the Rose Moon, Hot Moon, Mead Moon and others, all generally having to do with agricultural practices.
Events: How to see the Strawberry Moon
▪ Durham Community Trail Watch has a bike ride planned on the American Tobacco Trail that celebrates both the Strawberry Moon and North Carolina’s Year of the Trail. They call it the Full Moon Fever Ride, and it has two starting points and times: one at 7:30 p.m. outside Mellow Mushroom in downtown Durham, which will meet up with a second group at Bean Traders on N.C. Highway 54.
From there, the group will ride to the New Hope Church trail head and turn around. Those who do the full route will pedal a total of 32 miles, and those who join at Bean Traders will do 16 miles. Riders are free to turn around at any time.
Helmets and lights are required, and the ride will be canceled for inclement weather. The ride is free and no preregistration is required but riders must sign a waiver.
▪ Registration is full and there is a wait list for the Full Moon Walk Saturday through the Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve in Raleigh.
Assistant Park Manager Bonnie Eamick says the full moon likely won’t be visible until the end of the walk because it’ll be blocked by trees until it’s high in the sky. But inside the preserve, walkers will see what else is visible when the moon is big, including fireflies, bats and deer. The group sometimes can hear owls call, she said.
Eamick said the park holds twilight walks through the summer because, “Just being outside in nature in the dark is very intriguing to some people.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2023 at 2:28 PM.
