Tonight’s full moon is going to be a little sweeter than usual.
A Full Strawberry Moon is going to be visible in the skies tonight, if it’s not too cloudy.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon in June is called the Strawberry Moon not because of its appearance, but because Algonquin tribes took it as a signal to start gathering rip wild strawberries.
It has also been called the Honey Moon, Mead Moon, and the Full Rose Moon in Europe.
The Strawberry Moon rises late tonight, or in the wee hours of Thursday depending on your time zone. In Pacific time, the moon should rise at 9:54 p.m. according to the lunar calendar.
Not only will skywatchers be able to see the Strawberry Moon, but Saturn will also be visible. It will shine at its biggest and brightest alongside the full moon. It will rise at the same time and will be visible throughout the night.
The Farmer’s Almanac says that during opposition, when the planet is opposite the sun in the sky, Saturn is closer to Earth than at any other time of year.
Tonight is an amazing #conjunction. #Saturn reaches opposition—shining at its biggest and brightest for the whole year—and pairs up with the #FullStrawberryMoon all night. https://t.co/UFuxDCQj2r pic.twitter.com/4CFZ4CpUXR
— Old Farmer's Almanac (@almanac) June 27, 2018
The planet is easy to spot, and you should be able to see its rings and even a cloud band or two with binoculars or a telescope.
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