Although there is no single definition, the term supermoon generally refers to a full moon that looks brighter and larger than other moons because it is in the closet orbit towards Earth. To one casual observer, the supermoon may look similar in size to other moons. However, the noticeable change in brightness enhances visibility and creates a great opportunity for people to begin to pay attention to the moon and its phases, said Noah Petro, head of NASA’s Laboratory of Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry. The perfect time to look at the moon is when it rises or sets, as it will be the largest to see with the naked eye, said Jacqueline Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History. (The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s calculator can help you find out what time the moon rises and sets in your location.) The best view of the June full moon in the United States will be in the southern half of the country and in the southwest. A series of lightning storms will move in the Northeast and Great Lakes areas earlier in the week, creating cloudy conditions that will make it difficult to get a clear picture, CNN meteorologist Gene Norman said. Peter advises the viewers of the moon to look for a clear horizon and to avoid areas with tall buildings and dense forest. It also urges people to stay away from bright lights if possible for maximum visibility. The name strawberry moon has its roots in the traditions of indigenous groups in the northeastern United States, including the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota communities who saw the celestial event as a sign that strawberries and other fruits were ripe and ready to be harvested. Haida people refer to the moon as the moon that ripens the berries, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. In Europe, this moon is often referred to as the honeymoon or honeymoon, and historical texts from the area suggest that the honey was ready for harvest around the end of the month. In addition, the name of honey can refer to the reputation of June as a popular month for weddings. This full moon corresponds to the Hindu festival Vat Purnima, a festival where married women tie a ritual thread around a banyan tree and fast to pray for their husbands to live a long life. To Buddhists, this moon is the Poson Poya moon, named after the festival that celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 236 BC. There will be six more full moons in 2022, according to The Old Farmers Almanac:
September 10: Harvest Moon
These are the popular names associated with monthly full moons, but the meaning of each may differ between Native American tribes.
Lunar and solar eclipses
There will be another total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse in 2022, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Some solar eclipses occur when the moon passes in front of the sun but blocks only part of its light. Be sure to wear suitable eclipse glasses to see solar eclipses safely, as sunlight can damage the eye. A partial solar eclipse on October 25 will be visible to those in Greenland, Iceland, Europe, Northeast Africa, the Middle East, western Asia, India and western China. This partial solar eclipse will not be visible from North America. A total lunar eclipse will also occur for those in Asia, Australia, the Pacific, South America and North America on November 8, between 3:01 a.m. ET and 8:58 a.m. areas of North America.
Meteor showers
See the rest of the meteor showers that will peak in 2022:
South Delta Aquariids: July 29-30
Alpha Capricorns: 30 to 31 July
Blinds: 11 to 12 August
Orionides: October 20 to 21
Southern Bulls: 4 to 5 November
North Bulls: November 11 to 12
Leonides: 17 to 18 November
Gemini: December 13 to 14
Ursides: 21 to 22 December
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that is not crowded with city lights for a better view. Find an open area with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight ahead. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes – without looking at your phone or other electronics – to adjust to the darkness so that meteorites are easier to spot.
