JACKSON, Wyo. — June’s full moon also known as the Strawberry Moon, will reach peak illumination today, June 24 at about 12:40 p.m in Jackson Hole.
While it will reach 100% illumination, the moon will not be visible until it rises above the valley this evening. The moon will be at 99.6% illumination, and if there is no opportunity to get outside and gaze upward, the moon will be at 99.5% illumination tomorrow June 25.
Although the moon will not technically be a supermoon, it will be 224,077 miles away from earth, appearing big and bright in a dark night sky. A full moon is defined as a supermoon if it is less than 224,000 miles away from earth.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples, among others, called the entire June lunar month The Strawberry Moon, to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered. The Haida term Berries Ripen Moon reflects this as well. June is a time of great abundance during early summer, with flowers blooming, and fruit ripening.
Other names for the June full moon include Blooming Moon, by the Anishinaabe, Green Corn Moon by the Cherokee and Hoer Moon by the Western Abenaki. These names suggest the flowing season and young crops that begin growing in June.
The Tlingit call June’s full moon the Birth moon, to align with the birth of animals in the Pacific Northwest. The Cree used the terms Egg Laying Moon and Hatching Moon, another nod to the new life June brings.
Some European names for June’s full moon include the Honey Moon and the Mead Moon. Traditionally June is the month of marriage, named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. The Honey Moon may be tied to the “honeymoon’ that follows marriage.
