(CNN) – It's time for another notable celestial event. Be sure to cast your gaze to the sky tonight for the 2018 Strawberry Moon. And for piercing eyes, there is a heavenly bonus with a prominent appearance of Saturn.
So, you are not disappointed or confused, at first things first: The moon is not really going to look like a big round strawberry. This is because in North America, the name comes from the Algonquin tribes of Native Americans. This full moon was their sign to harvest wild strawberries, says the Old Farmer's Almanac.
This has other names in other parts of the world. In Europe, you can hear it called the honeymoon, Mead Moon or the full moon. In the southern hemisphere, it can go through Oak Moon, Cold Moon or Long Night Moon, according to EarthSky.org.
In the United States, the peak of the full moon occurs according to your time zone. In the Eastern Time Zone, this will be at 12:53 pm on Thursday, June 28th. Back on the west coast, the rush hour will be 21:53. PT Wednesday 27 June.
All of South America, most of North America, West Africa and Portugal will be under the mantle of darkness during the peak. The rest of Europe, East Africa, Asia and Australia will be bathed in daylight at the peak of the full moon.
If it's nighttime at your rush hour, you might find the moon so bright in the dark sky that it will be hard to watch for more than a few seconds.
But for the best impressions, take a look not at rush hour, but while the moon is still low on your horizon, says CNN meteorologist Judson Jones.
"My favorite moment to watch the full moon is when it rises on the horizon, when the moon is low in the horizon, it allows to capture the view with objects in the foreground, making the moon appear bigger, "said Jones. .
"Say you're in town, and you're looking between two buildings or above the horizon line, this will make you feel much bigger and have more impact. " He adds that if you are around the ocean, a lake or mountains, the prospect could be very nice.
Saturn
Now, about this heavenly bonus. You may notice a shining object near the moon. It will not be a star, but Saturn.
The ringed planet will be in what is called "opposition", which means that it will be opposed to the sun in the sky of the Earth. You will not be able to see these legendary rings unless you have a telescope, but be careful and at the naked eye you will see the planet near the Strawberry Moon.
Strawberry Moon Events
There are scattered locations throughout the United States that host tours and other viewing events if you want to share the moment with other space fans. A small sample:
– Boulder County presents an interactive presentation followed by a walk to Sandstone Park in Longmont, Colorado.
– Hamilton Gardens in Blairsville, Georgia, is the site of a Strawberry Moon concert.
You may want to check out local astronomy clubs and parks for possible events in your area.
Or is a strawberry moon after all?
Space and science are rarely simple things.
So, while a large part of the planet marks the Strawberry Moon in June, NASA designated it in May because the last full moon of spring is traditionally the Strawberry Moon. In his blog, NASA's Gordon Johnston says the full moon of June 27-28 would be called the moon, the thunder or the pink moon as the first full moon of the summer.
But no matter what you call or when you name it, these views of the moon can be a powerful attraction.
"A Strawberry Moon is no different from any other full moon, it does not even look red, but it reminds us of a time when people were marking time according to the lunar calendar, instead of their bright electronic device, "said Jones.
