Will you see the “Strawberry Moon?” One of the most famous full Moons of the year. it’s the final full Moon of spring in the northern hemisphere and also the lowest-hanging of the year.
Here’s everything you need to know about the rise of the full “Strawberry Moon” this week:
When is the full Moon in May 2023?
May’s full Moon will occur on June 4, 2023 at 03:41 UTC (23:41 p.m EDT on June 3), but it’s the moment of moonrise that evening that will be the best time to watch it.
Best times to see the ‘Strawberry Moon’ rise
Here are the exact times to see June’s “Strawberry Moon” from a few key cities, but do check the exact times of moonrise and moonset for your location. If you don’t see the full Moon peek above the horizon at precisely these times, don’t worry. It will appear for sure soon after!
Just after sunset on Saturday, June 3, 2023
Saturday evening offers the best opportunity to see the full “Strawberry Moon” rise into a twilight sky from both Europe and North America:
- In London sunset is at 9:09 p.m. BST and moonrise is at 9:02 p.m. BST (full Moon is at 3:43 a.m. the following morning).
- In New York sunset is at 8:22 p.m. EDT and moonrise is at 8:22 p.m. EDT – a perfect alignment (the moment of full Moon is at 10:43 p.m. EDT).
- In Los Angeles sunset is at 8:00 p.m. PDT and moonrise is at 8:05 p.m. PDT (the moment of full Moon is at 7:43 p.m. PDT). So the West Coast will see the full Moon rise 100% illuminated!
Why the ‘Strawberry Moon’ will hang low
For the northern hemisphere this will be the lowest-hanging full Moon of the year simply because it’s opposite the highest-hanging Sun. After all, the summer solstice—when the Sun is highest (farthest north) in the sky—occurs on June 21, 2023.
Look for Antares below the ‘Strawberry Moon’
You’ll find Antares, the brightest star in the summer constellation of Scorpius, just below the “Strawberry Moon.”
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.