Extremely rare ‘strawberry moon’ set to light up night skies this week

A rare phenomenon known as a 'strawberry moon' is set to light up night skies across the Earth.

The moon is known for causing its fair share of phenomena.

Earlier this year, it played its pretty significant part in bringing about a total solar eclipse across north and central America, with millions plunged in to complete darkness during the middle of the afternoon.

It helps guide Earth's seasons, control our tides, and make the planet more habitable - while also set to play a massive role in humanity's future when it comes to space exploration - so it's importance is pretty significant whichever way you look at it.

Now, a phenomena known as the 'strawberry moon' will hit Earth later this month as it coincides with another major event, making it extremely rare.

A strawberry moon looms large (Getty Stock Images / NASA)

What is a strawberry moon?

Happening every year within June's full moon cycle, the strawberry moon will be lighting up the skies in just a few days time.

And despite its name, it won't be bright red in colour or even a shade of pink.

Instead, it'll more likely be an 'unusual amber' colour, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The moon will appear larger in the sky, though, and hang lower across the stars, due to how close the event happens to the summer solstice.

Speaking to Stylist, astrologist Betty Andrews said: "The name comes from Algonquin tribes who saw this full moon as a signal to gather ripe strawberries.

"It’s also known by other names around the world, such as the rose moon in Europe, tying it to the season of blossoming flowers.

"The strawberry moon often coincides with the summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year and the official start of summer."

Despite its name, the strawberry moon won't be red or pink (Getty Stock Images / NASA)

When is the strawberry moon?

The event's rarity is due to it coinciding with the summer solstice (20 or 21 June, depending on the year), which is the longest day of the year during which we enjoy the most sunlight in a 24-hour cycle.

The chances of these two happening at the same time is not something that comes around very often, with it lining up only once every 20 years or so.

2024 will see the strawberry moon appear the day after the solstice, which is 20 June.

The strawberry moon will appear more orangey (Getty Stock Images)

What time can I see the strawberry moon in the UK?

The Strawberry Moon will happen the day after the summer solstice from the evening of Friday, 21 June.

According to the BBC, the best time to check it out will be on the evening of Saturday, 22 June from 11.05pm - all in all, the full moon will last for around three days.

NASA says: "The full Moon will be Friday evening, June 21, 2024, at 9:08 PM EDT. This will be on Saturday from Greenland and Cape Verde time eastward across Eurasia, Africa, and Australia to the International Date Line in the mid-Pacific.

"Most commercial calendars will show this full Moon on Saturday, June 22.

"This will be the lowest full Moon of the year (reaching only 21.9 degrees above the southern horizon Saturday morning at 1:20 AM).

"The Moon will appear full for about three days around this time, from Thursday evening through Sunday morning."