Tonight's strawberry moon solstice: last seen during 1967's summer of love
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Version 0 of 1. All hail the strawberry moon solstice. The lightest day of the year will be followed by one of the brightest nights this evening, with a full moon falling on the solstice in a once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime occurrence. The last time there was a full moon on the summer solstice was during the Summer of Love, 1967. This year appears less auspicious, with protests planned over English Heritage charging a £15 parking fee for those who want to join the solstice celebrations at Stonehenge. But perhaps this momentous meeting of sun and moon will bring a welcome outburst of peace and love. At least astronomers are excited. “By landing exactly on the solstice, this full moon doesn’t just rise as the sun sets but is opposite the sun in all other ways too,” explains Bob Berman of The Old Farmers Almanac. Because the sun is so high, the moon will be low, its light coming through thicker air, which is often humid at this time of year, and creating an amber-coloured moon. “This is the true Honey Moon,” says Berman. Native Americans sometimes called it the “Strawberry Moon” not for its colour but because its arrival heralds the start of the strawberry-picking season. But this magical moon is also notable this year for being the fourth full moon to fall between the March equinox and the June solstice. There are usually only three full moons in one season, between an equinox and a solstice. At the moment, the clouds currently covering much of southern Britain will prevent many of us from fully appreciating this special moon but we should celebrate as best we can: according to astronomers , the next summer solstice full moon won’t appear for 46 years. Hopefully peace and love really will break out in 2062. |