A very special full moon is scheduled to appear on Friday night for the official start of summer. 

A ‘Strawberry Moon’ is making its appearance on Friday night, marking the onset of summer and the longest period of sunlight of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 

The full moon is set to have to have a pink or reddish hue to it, which is partially why it is nicknamed the “Strawberry Moon.” 

The name Strawberry Moon comes from the Indigenous American Algonquin tribes to describe when strawberries ripen in June and are ready to be collected.

The European name for this moon is the “mead” or “honey moon,” which refers to the drink known in some countries as honey wine. It is created by fermenting honey with fruits and other spices. 

This full moon also relates to the term “honeymoon,” which dates back to Europe in the 1500s and references getting married in June because it’s considered the “sweetest” moon of the year.  

The moon is expected to rise around 9:08 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and be set opposite the sun. In Los Angeles, the moon is expected to rise around 7:24 p.m. and reach the highest point in the sky at 12:13 p.m.

The Strawberry Moon is set to take on a reddish-orange color due to how low it hangs in the sky and its close proximity to the horizon. 

This also means the sky is set to be darker than usual on a full moon night, due to lower levels of moonlight for most of the evening, according to officials. 

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