FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Summer is right around the corner and the first full moon of the new astronomical season is set to arrive Friday night!
Summer officially began at 4:50pm on Thursday. Note that this happens when the Earth is tilted furthest toward the Sun.
Now, on the first full day of summer, the “Strawberry Moon” will become full at 9:07 PM Friday night. The name comes from the historical maturity of strawberries ready to be picked in June. No, you will not see a pink color from the moon. What you will see is a large moon low on the horizon, although note that the moon will not rise until around 9:37 PM in our area.
It is unusual for a full moon to coincide with the solstice or equinox. The last time this happened was on the vernal equinox in 2015, and the next time it will happen will be on the winter solstice in 2033.
The moon was last full at the summer solstice in 2001, and this will next happen at the summer solstice in 2039.
Stay cool as you head out to watch the moon! Visit our WANE 15 weather page for the hour-by-hour forecast for Friday night.
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