<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > watch Strawberry Moon – the last supermoon of 2021! </h1>
Our planet's natural satellites– better known as the Moon – will appear opposite the Sun and be fully illuminated on June 24, 2021 at 18:40 p.m., cdt (UTC-5). This full moon is special for two reasons: it's Strawberry Moon and the last super moon of the year!
Strawberry Moon marks the last full moon of spring or the first full moon of summer. Towards the end of June, the moon is usually located lower in the sky and emits light through more of our atmosphere. As a result, our moon sometimes gives off a pink hue.
Strawberry moon over the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio in June 2019. Image credit: Elias Chasiotis
Surprisingly, the name may have more to do with the timing of its occurrence than with its unusual pink shade. Some Native American tribes refer to this full moon as the Strawberry Moon because it marks the time to collect ripe strawberries and other fruits.
A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the perigee of the Moon, which is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a point called perigee. In orbit around the Earth every 27 days, the Moon reaches perigee of about 226,000 miles from Earth and its furthest point or apogee of about 251,000 miles from Earth.
Although a supermoon is not an official astronomical term, it is often used to describe a full moon that is at least 90% within 90% of the perigee. At this stage, the moon looks bigger and brighter than usual. A crescent moon can also be a supermoon. However, we usually don't see the new moon because it sits between the Earth and the Sun and is therefore not illuminated.
If you're in daylight during Super Strawberry Moon, look for a better view when the moon rises, about 20 minutes after sunset local time.
Super Strawberry Moon will be the last of four supermoons in 2021. Supermoons occur only three or four times a year and always appear in a row. The last three supermoons occur on May 26, April 27, and March 28.
Look east as you watch the sunset to the west and may notice the subtle pink of our Super Strawberry Moon!