Here’s when a ‘strawberry’ moon, the last full moon of spring, will peak over IL
The last full moon of the spring will peak soon above Illinois, and the forecast calls for clear skies at least two of the days the moon will appear full.
The “strawberry” moon will peak overnight Wednesday, June 11, though Tuesday, June 10 might provide a better viewing opportunity.
The strawberry moon marks the peak of strawberry harvest season, and the name is attributed to the Algonquian, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota peoples, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. The name does not refer to a pink or red colored appearance of the moon.
More names for June’s full moon include blooming moon (attributed to the Anishinaabe), green corn moon (Cherokee), hoer moon (Western Abenaki), birth moon (Tlingit), egg laying moon (Cree), hatching moon (Cree), honey moon (European) and mead moon (European).
Last year’s strawberry moon coincided with the summer solstice, which is Friday, June 20 this year. Meteorological summer, however, began June 1, and the metro-east and greater St. Louis region has already begun seeing warmer temperatures.
Here’s when to see this year’s strawberry moon over Illinois, plus when to catch more full moons in 2025.
When will the strawberry moon peak?
The strawberry moon will be full at 2:44 a.m. Central Daylight Time June 11, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
AccuWeather reports the nighttime forecast for June 11 calls for clear skies in Belleville. The full moon generally appears full the day before and after its peak. The night of June 10 will also be clear in Belleville, AccuWeather forecasts, and the night of June 12 will be “partly cloudy.”
The moon will rise in Belleville at 9:20 p.m. June 11, according to online clock Time and Date.
When to see more full moons in 2025
After the flower moon, stargazers will have six more opportunities to see a full moon this year. Here’s when to look, from Astronomy.com:
Thursday, July 10: Buck moon
Saturday, Aug. 9: Sturgeon moon
Sunday, Sept. 7: Corn moon
Monday, Oct. 6: Hunter’s moon (supermoon)
Wednesday, Nov. 5: Beaver moon (supermoon)
Thursday, Dec. 4: Cold moon (supermoon)
The St. Louis Astronomical Society will host its monthly meeting from 7:30 to 10 p.m. June 20, at Room 162 in Washington University’s McDonnell Hall. The club’s meetings are open to the public.
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