Strawberry Moon two thousand twenty-four: Get Ready for a Celestial Showstopper!

Yo, space cadets and moon gazers! Get ready for a cosmic extravaganza this Friday, June fourteenth, as the Strawberry Moon graces our celestial dome. We’re talkin’ bigger, we’re talkin’ brighter, we’re talkin’ more vibrant than your run-of-the-mill full moon shindig. Buckle up, because this celestial spectacle is gonna be outta this world!

Not Quite a Berrylicious Moon, Though

Okay, before you whip out your strawberry daiquiris and telescopes, let’s clear up a teensy misconception. The Strawberry Moon, despite its deliciously misleading name, won’t actually resemble a giant, glowing strawberry hanging out in space (bummer, right?). The name comes from our pals, the Native American tribes, who were way cooler than us and used the moon’s arrival to mark the peak season for harvesting those juicy red berries. Clever, huh?

A Low-Hanging Lunar Delight for All

Here’s the deal: this ain’t your mama’s full moon. This bad boy is happening right after the summer solstice, which means the sun is chilling at its highest point in the sky. And guess what? The full moon? It’s playing a game of celestial opposites and hanging out way lower than usual. It’s like the moon is trying to get a tan, but instead of sunscreen, it’s basking in the reflected glory of the sun. Science, baby!

Get Ready for an Orange You Glad It’s a Full Moon Glow

Hold up, it gets even cooler! Because of its low-key (literally!) position, the moon’s light has to take the scenic route through Earth’s atmosphere. And you know what that means? All those pesky blue wavelengths get scattered like confetti at a parade, leaving behind a mesmerizing orange or amber hue. It’s like Mother Nature grabbed a giant paintbrush and decided to create a celestial masterpiece. Think of it as a giant, cosmic sunset, but instead of palm trees and ocean waves, you’ve got stars and planets. Talk about an Instagrammable moment!