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June full moon 2026: Look up to see the glorious ‘Strawberry Moon,’ but don’t expect it to appear red
The Beatles' song "Strawberry Fields Forever" was inspired by John Lennon's childhood memories, touching on themes of identity. June's full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, offers a similar sense of wonder. This full moon peaks on June 29th at 7:56 p.m. ET. The name "Strawberry Moon" originates from Native American traditions, as strawberries ripened during this time. Tribes like the Algonquin and Sioux referred to it by this name, which was later popularized by The Old Farmer's Almanac. Other historical names for this moon include the Rose Moon and Blackberry Moon. The Strawberry Moon can also be impacted by the Summer Solstice, causing it to appear lower and more amber in color due to its proximity to the sun's high arc. This June's Strawberry Moon is also a micromoon, occurring when the moon is farthest from Earth, making it appear smaller and dimmer. However, the optical illusion of moonrise will make it look larger than usual. To view it, people can use a calculator to find moonrise and moonset times in their area. Even if moonrise is missed, the moon will appear full for several days around its peak illumination. The Strawberry Moon, much like Lennon's song, provides a moment of peaceful observation in the night sky.