Strawberry Moon - 24th June 2021

Full moons illuminate the sky every month, with the next one due just after the summer solstice - but why do they have different names?

The Strawberry Moon rises above the ancient Apollo Temple in 2019

Another full moon is set to grace the skies this month - the sixth of the year. Known as the Strawberry Moon, it will be visible this week, just days after the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
So named for the beginning of strawberry picking season, June's full moon is synonymous with warmer climes. But when and how can you see it?
Here we've compiled a complete guide to the Moon, Earth's only natural satellite and the largest and brightest object in our night sky, which has enchanted and inspired mankind for centuries.
From supermoon to blue moon, here's everything explained in one place.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon, otherwise known as the Strawberry Moon, is set to grace our skies on June 24.

How often does a full moon occur?

A full moon occurs every 29.5 days and happens when the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun's rays. It occurs when the Earth is directly aligned between the Sun and the Moon. 
While most years see 12 full moons, some years have 13. This means that some months will see two full moons, with the second known as a Blue Moon.
In 2020, 13 full moons graced our skies, with the second of two full moons in October named as the Blue Hunter's Moon.

Why do full moons have different names?

The early Native Americans didn't record time using months of the Julian or Gregorian calendar. Instead tribes gave each full moon a nickname to keep track of the seasons and lunar months.
Most of the names relate to an activity or an event that took place at the time in each location. However, it wasn't a uniform system and tribes tended to name and count moons differently. Some, for example, counted four seasons a year while others counted five. Others defined a year as 12 moons, while others said there were 13.
Colonial Americans adopted some of the moon names and applied them to their own calendar system which is why they're still in existence today, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

June: Strawberry Moon

This full moon is named after the beginning of the strawberry picking season. It is also known as Rose Moon or Hot Moon, commemorating the start of the summer's warm weather.
It appears in the same month as the summer solstice, the longest day of the year (June 21), in which we can enjoy 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight.
When? June 24

July: Thunder Moon

Named due to the prevalence of summer thunder storms. It's otherwise known as the Full Buck Moon because at this time of the year a buck's antlers are fully grown. 
In 2019, the Thunder Moon was extra special because not only did it coincide with the partial lunar eclipse, it also fell on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.
When? July 24

August: Sturgeon Moon

Tribes in North America typically caught Sturgeon around this time, but it is also when grain and corn were gathered so is sometimes referred to as Grain Moon. 
This full moon appears in the same month as the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks on August 12 and 13, and this year, a blue moon (the third full moon in a season with four full moon), will also take place on August 22.
When? August 22

September: Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon is the name given to the first full moon that takes place closest to the Autumn equinox, which this year falls on September 22.
It was during September that most of the crops were harvested ahead of the autumn and this moon would give light to farmers so they could carry on working longer in the evening. Some tribes also called it the Barley Moon, the Full Corn Moon or Fruit Moon. 
When? September 21

October: Hunter's Moon

As people planned ahead for the cold months ahead, October's full moon came to signify the ideal time for hunting game, which were becoming fatter from eating falling grains. This full moon is also known as the Travel Moon and the Dying Grass Moon.
When? October 20

November: Beaver Moon

Beavers typically start building their winter dams around now, leading to this full moon moniker. It is also known as the Frost Moon as winter frosts historically began to take their toll during this time. 
In 2021, the Beaver Moon will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse, otherwise known as a Half Blood Moon.
When? November 19

December: Cold Moon

Nights are long and dark and winter's grip tightens, hence this full moon's name. Falling in the festive season, it's also referred to as Moon before Yule and Long Nights Moon.
When? December 19