A Strawberry Moon Eclipse Will Be Visible in Parts of the World This Week (Video)
This month has an extra-special full moon and a lunar eclipse combined, but while the former is easily visible to everyone on the planet, only those in Asia, Africa, and Australia will see the latter. However, despite not being able to see the eclipse, North America is perfectly placed to watch the Strawberry Moon at its very best — at both moonrise and moonset — on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Sunil Pradhan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Why is it called a Strawberry Moon?
The name “Strawberry Moon” comes from the ripening of the juicy summer fruit, but June’s full moon is also sometimes called the “Hot Moon” and the “Rose Moon.” These names come from traditional names given by Native Americans and early colonial settlers who used the full moons as a way of keeping track of the planting and harvesting seasons.
What is the Strawberry Moon Eclipse?
Eclipses come in twins or triplets, and the Strawberry Moon Eclipse kicks-off 2020’s “eclipse season” in style. As seen from Asia, Africa, and Australia, 57% of the Strawberry Moon will be covered by Earth’s penumbra — its outer, fuzzy shadow in space — and for a few hours, our bright satellite will lose its luster.
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When is the Strawberry Moon Eclipse?
The Full Strawberry Moon will occur at 19:12 Universal Time, which is 3:12 p.m. ET and 12:12 p.m. PT. That's daytime in North America, but don’t fret, because the exact time of the full moon isn’t what’s important — it’s all about the moonset and moonrise.
When is moonset for the Strawberry Moon?
Everything is in sync for North America to get two excellent views of the Strawberry Moon this June. Chance number one is for those that get up early and have a clear view to the west of an almost full moon setting. On June 5, New Yorkers will want to be in place well before 5:18 a.m. ET for sunrise at 5:26 a.m., while in Los Angeles, you'll want to be ready before 5:37 a.m because sunrise is at 5:42 a.m. PT. You’ll get the most out of this beautiful view if you’re in place about 30 minutes beforehand.
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When is moonrise for the Strawberry Moon?
The second chance for North Americans to see the Strawberry Moon — and by far the most convenient — comes at the moonrise of a now-slightly-less-than-full moon in the eastern sky at dusk. In New York, that's at 8:23 p.m. ET (and sunset is at 8:31 p.m.), while in Los Angeles, it’s at 8:01 p.m. PT (and sunset is at 8:17 p.m.). Find out exactly when moonrise, moonset, sunrise, and sunset take place in your exact location on June 5, 2020 for your best viewing opportunities.
What comes after the Strawberry Moon Eclipse?
Two weeks after the Strawberry Moon Eclipse, on June 21, 2020, comes a beautiful “ring of fire” eclipse of the Sun — as seen from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia — and two weeks later on July 5, 2020, there’s another penumbral lunar eclipse, the Thunder Moon Eclipse. That one will be visible in North America, though only a small portion of the full moon will go dim.
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