The full moon It occurs when the moon is in an opposite position to the sun in the sky, with the Land located between both. In this alignment, known as oppositionthe side of the moon facing Earth is completely illuminated by the sun, making the moon appear as a bright and complete disca perfect circle, in the night sky.
This phenomenon occurs approximately once a month, following the 29.5-day lunar cycle, known as synodic month. During this cycle, the moon goes through several phases: new moon, waxing moon, full moon, and waning moon. The full moon is one of the most recognizable phases and is when the moon is completely illuminated from our perspective on Earth.
lunar influence
In many cultures and traditions, the full moon is associated with festivals, mythologies and popular beliefs. For example, some people believe that it can influence human behavior and sleep patterns.
Additionally, the full moon can feature special astronomical events, such as supermoons, when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth (perigee) and appears larger and brighter than usual, or lunar eclipses, when the Earth blocks sunlight. and projects its shadow on the Moon, giving it a reddish color.
At the end of Junejust a couple of days after summer has officially begun – which meteorologically began last day 1 -, the first moon of summer 2024 will occur, the so-called strawberry moon.
Harvest
The name is not due to the color, but rather has its origin in the American natives Algonquians of Canada, who began the strawberry harvest with the arrival of this moon. In Europe, it is also known as pink moonassociated with the rose harvest, and also a hot moon, due to the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere.
This year the event will be enjoyed on the 22nd and under the sign of capricorn, according to the National Geographic Institute (IGN). The one hundred percent full phase of the satellite will occur from 3:08 a.m. (Spanish peninsular time). To see it, you just have to look east when the sun sets in the west.
Moons and supermoons
This 2024, there will be a total of 12 full moons. It also coincides that of these six that remain, four will be supermoons: August, September, October and November.
The term supermoon was coined in 1979 and is used today to describe what astronomers would call a perigee full moonthat is, a full moon that occurs near or at the time when the moon is at its closest point in the orbit around the Earth.
For this reason, the moon is slightly brighter and larger than a normal full moon.
All the full moons of the year
These are the dates on which the remaining full moons will occur:
-
July 21: Deer Moon.
-
August 19: Sturgeon Moon.
-
September 18: Harvest Moon.
-
October 17: Hunter’s Moon.
-
November 15: Beaver Moon.
-
December 15: Cold Moon.
