A Super Moon happens when a full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth, a moment in its elliptical orbit called perigee. This Tuesday brings another such occurrence, often celebrated with names like “strawberry super moon,” a label that isn’t tied to astronomy but to culture and lore.
A Super Moon isn’t an official astronomical term, yet it’s commonly used to describe the full Moon that reaches about 90 percent of its closest point to Earth. The peak approach for this event is set for 01:24 local time on the peninsula, a moment some observers might glimpse with the naked eye. The celebration and explanation often come from agencies such as NASA, which notes the orbital mechanics behind the phenomenon.
Super Moons typically appear three to four times in a year. They gained broader attention after early 20th century discussions and popular forecasts by Richard Nolle, who in 1979 coined the term. While there was a prediction of a dramatic increase in earthquakes linked to a 2011 supermoon, that claim didn’t materialize. The idea endures in public discourse as a striking alignment between the Moon and Earth, rather than a precise scientific forecast of earthquakes.
This Tuesday’s full moon has many appellations. NASA points out that in the 1930s the Maine Farmer’s Almanac began listing Native American names for full moons, linking lunar cycles to regional harvests and cultural calendars.
According to that tradition, the Algonquian peoples of the northeastern United States named this full Moon the Strawberry Moon, a reference to the brief window of ripe berries in the local season. The name carries cultural meaning tied to harvest rhythms rather than any celestial phenomenon.
Even though the Moon may take on a reddish hue when it rises or sets, that color description is not a literal indicator of its temperature or composition. In European folklore, names such as mead, honey, or Pink Moon have appeared for brighter full Moons at different times of the year.
On average, the distance between the Moon and Earth sits around 384,402 kilometers. At perigee, the Moon lies roughly 356,000 kilometers away, while at apogee, the farthest point, it sits about 406,000 kilometers distant. This range in distance is what creates the subtle size differences we notice during a Super Moon.
The National Geographic Institute describes this event as a “special month” on its networks, noting that because the Moon is near perigee, it will appear slightly larger than usual to observers on Earth. The idea is simple: when the Moon is near the closest point in its orbit, even a subtle change in apparent size can be perceived by the naked eye and through telescopes.
When a full Moon lies near perigee, it can seem a bit larger and brighter from Earth. While the term Super Moon is commonly used, experts emphasize that the difference is modest and often difficult to detect without instruments. Still, the effect is real enough to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the Moon’s orbital dance.
Outside observers can enjoy the spectacle with the naked eye, provided the skies are clear and weather cooperates. The experience is a reminder of the Moon’s changing distance and its impact on how we view it from our planet.
The full Moon in July, occurring near perigee on the 13th, will likely produce a comparable visual event, offering another moment to observe this celestial proximity in action.