21 June 2024: The Summer Solstice and Strawberry Moon

21st June - International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice

Today marks the beginning of astronomical winter, our shortest day and longest night. From tomorrow our days start getting longer as we creep back towards Spring.

Additionally, skywatchers are in for a treat as the Strawberry Moon is set to rise this week.

According to NASA, the strawberry moon’s name comes from “the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries in northeastern North America.”

Despite its name, the moon will look like an ordinary full moon.

However, brace yourselves for a potentially unique visual experience.

The moon will be on Friday evening, June 21, 2024, opposite the Sun (in Earth-based longitude) at 9:08 PM EDT.

NASA said this month’s full moon may cast a reddish hue when it begins its ascent in the northern regions of Europe. It is more likely to happen when the moon appears lower in the sky, as the Sun’s rays bounce off the Earth.

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