Strawberry Moon Eclipse: How, When And Where To See

The spectacular Full Strawberry Moon will grace the sky on June 5, 2020, accompanied by a penumbral lunar eclipse. Why is the June Full Moon called the Strawberry Moon? Who will see the penumbral lunar eclipse? Here’s everything you need to know about these astronomical events.

When to see the Full Moon in June 2020?

The Moon will reach its full phase on Friday, June 5, 2020, at 19:12 UTC (3:12 p.m. EDT). For observers from Earth, it will appear large, round and full to the eye on both June 4 and 5. Look up to see the bright and beautiful full moon these days as it rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. The June Full Moon, also known as the Strawberry Moon, always shines among the stars of the constellation Ophiuchus. On the nights of Thursday and Friday, the Full Moon will also be close to Antares, which is a red supergiant and the brightest object in the constellation of Scorpius.

Consult the stargazing app Star Walk 2 to check when and where the Moon rises and sets in your location for any given date. With the app, you can easily find stars, constellations, planets and other objects in the sky and always keep up with the latest celestial events. There is a 60% discount on the paid app Star Walk 2 for iOS and Android from June 4 to 6, 2020. Seize the opportunity and get everything you need to explore the sky in one app at a low price.

Full Strawberry Moon

The Full Moon of June is traditionally called the Strawberry Moon. All names for the Full Moons are connected to seasonal activities. The June Full Moon was named after the wild strawberries that usually ripen during this month. It is also called the Rose Moon, as these flowers start to bloom in June.

Other names for the Full Moon in June include the Honey Moon, the Mead Moon and the Hot Moon.

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on June 5-6, 2020

The Full Strawberry Moon on June 5, 2020, will be accompanied by a penumbral lunar eclipse. This eclipse of the Moon will last 3 hours 18 minutes, beginning at 17:45 UTC and ending at 21:04 UTC. The maximum eclipse will occur at 19:25 UTC. Lunar eclipses can be seen from everywhere on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon at the time of the event. Thus, the penumbral lunar eclipse on June 5-6, 2020, will be observable (totally or partly) from much of Europe and Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Antarctica.

Like other lunar eclipses, a penumbral eclipse takes place when the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon are nearly aligned, and the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun. When this happens, the Earth obscures the Sun's light and casts a shadow onto the Moon's surface. A penumbral eclipse is observable when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow (penumbra) and can only occur at Full Moon.

How to see the Strawberry Moon Eclipse?

Penumbral lunar eclipses, unlike partial and total ones, are very subtle events to observe with the naked eye. Most observers cannot easily distinguish it from an ordinary Full Moon. At the maximum phase, 57% of the Moon's disc will be in partial shadow. If you notice a subtle dimming of the lunar surface on the night of June 5-6, that means you see the penumbral lunar eclipse.

For more information on the penumbral lunar eclipse on June 5-6, 2020, and other upcoming eclipses, check the Eclipse Guide app. In the app, you will find local times, animated eclipse maps, best viewing spots, voice alerts and other info for observing eclipses.

Solar and lunar eclipses always come in pairs, with one following the other in approximately two weeks. On June 21, 2020, an annular solar eclipse will occur. Follow our news, and you won't miss this sky event.