Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science & Technology
Why in News?
Recently, the Strawberry Full Moon was cited on June 29 in India.
Strawberry Moon – Every full moon of the year carries a traditional name, and 2026 June’s full moon was popularly known as the Strawberry Moon, which is set to light up the night sky.
Naming – The name comes from the strawberry harvesting season observed by Native American Algonquian tribes, who associated June’s full moon with the brief season when wild strawberries ripen and are ready to be harvested.
Appearance – The Strawberry Moon does not actually appear larger than usual; it can seem bigger when it is close to the horizon because of the Moon illusion.
This is essentially an optical illusion that makes the Moon look larger against buildings, trees, and other objects.
Despite its name, the moon does not appear pink or red.
At the same time, its light passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths and giving the Moon a warm golden or orange glow.
The June full moon traces the lowest path across the sky of any full moon in the entire year, and 2026's version combines that low arc with a micro-moon status, making it an especially distinctive sight.
Significance – This year’s Strawberry Moon is also the first full moon of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, adding to its seasonal significance.
Visibility in India – It was visible across most of India if the skies are clear, and best seen from open areas, rooftops, beaches, or parks with minimal light pollution.
