Sky
Strawberry Moon 2025
11/06/25 18:20 Filed in: Berlin
Last night was June's full moon, the Strawberry Moon. Unfortunately we could not see it because it was slightly overcast and the moon this time of year rises further to the south behind our tall trees that run along the south of the house. The moon is blocked by the trees.
To know more about what the Strawberry moon means, follow along…
"Despite its sweet-sounding name, the Strawberry Moon doesn’t actually turn red or pink. The reddish tint we sometimes see on the Moon happens only when it’s close to the horizon, where Earth’s atmosphere scatters the light like a giant pair of sunglasses. Instead, this full Moon earns its name from the season itself.
For many Native American tribes, including the Algonquian peoples of the Northeast, as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota, the Strawberry Moon marks the time when wild “June-bearing” strawberries ripen — ready to be gathered and savored. It’s a name that celebrates nature’s generosity and the abundance of early summer’s bounty.
This naming tradition stretches far and wide. The Haida people of the Pacific Northwest call this period the Berries Ripen Moon, honoring the same seasonal harvest.
More Than Just Strawberries The Strawberry Moon is just one of many evocative names given to full Moons throughout the year — each tied to the seasonal changes and activities of the communities that watch the skies.
Across cultures, June’s Moon has worn many hats. The Anishinaabe call it the Blooming Moon, a nod to the flourishing flowers of the season. The Cherokee speak of the Green Corn Moon, signaling the time to tend young crops, while the Western Abenaki know it as the Hoer Moon."
To know more about what the Strawberry moon means, follow along…
"Despite its sweet-sounding name, the Strawberry Moon doesn’t actually turn red or pink. The reddish tint we sometimes see on the Moon happens only when it’s close to the horizon, where Earth’s atmosphere scatters the light like a giant pair of sunglasses. Instead, this full Moon earns its name from the season itself.
For many Native American tribes, including the Algonquian peoples of the Northeast, as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota, the Strawberry Moon marks the time when wild “June-bearing” strawberries ripen — ready to be gathered and savored. It’s a name that celebrates nature’s generosity and the abundance of early summer’s bounty.
This naming tradition stretches far and wide. The Haida people of the Pacific Northwest call this period the Berries Ripen Moon, honoring the same seasonal harvest.
More Than Just Strawberries The Strawberry Moon is just one of many evocative names given to full Moons throughout the year — each tied to the seasonal changes and activities of the communities that watch the skies.
Across cultures, June’s Moon has worn many hats. The Anishinaabe call it the Blooming Moon, a nod to the flourishing flowers of the season. The Cherokee speak of the Green Corn Moon, signaling the time to tend young crops, while the Western Abenaki know it as the Hoer Moon."
Comments
Pink Full Moon
13/04/25 10:02 Filed in: Moon
Last night into early morning was the Pink Full Moon. It is the first of Spring and the smallest of the full moons being the farthest from Earth or at apogee.
The Pink Moon gets its name from the vibrant moss phlox (Phlox subulata), a wildflower that blooms in April. Known as moss pink, this flower carpets the ground in hues of rosy pink, signaling the arrival of spring. So, while the moon won’t exactly be pink, it’ll surely make you think of the fresh, colorful burst of life happening here on Earth.
This moon has roots in centuries-old traditions. Native American tribes like the Algonquin called it the "Breaking Ice Moon" because it’s the time when ice melts and spring arrives. Other names, like the Tlingit’s “Budding Moon,” tie the full moon to new growth and fresh beginnings.
The Pink Moon gets its name from the vibrant moss phlox (Phlox subulata), a wildflower that blooms in April. Known as moss pink, this flower carpets the ground in hues of rosy pink, signaling the arrival of spring. So, while the moon won’t exactly be pink, it’ll surely make you think of the fresh, colorful burst of life happening here on Earth.
This moon has roots in centuries-old traditions. Native American tribes like the Algonquin called it the "Breaking Ice Moon" because it’s the time when ice melts and spring arrives. Other names, like the Tlingit’s “Budding Moon,” tie the full moon to new growth and fresh beginnings.
Worm Moon
18/03/24 08:22 Filed in: Culture
Where did the name for the first full moon of spring come from?
Worm Moon - which is present on March 25, just before the big eclipse is present moving from the southwest across the Mid-West to the northeast.
What is a worm moon?
Earthworms might have been on the minds of the Colonial settlers or Native American tribesmen who bequeathed the entire calendar month (not just the full moon itself) this name. But another form of grub (not earthworms) may actually be the true originator of the moniker Full Worm Moon.
It was actually beetles, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The story goes, in the 1760s, the Colonial explorer from Massachusetts Captain Jonathan Carver met with the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes. He wrote that the name “Worm Moon” originated from beetle larvae which begin to emerge from the bark of thawing trees and other winter hideouts this time of year.
Worm Moon - which is present on March 25, just before the big eclipse is present moving from the southwest across the Mid-West to the northeast.
What is a worm moon?
Earthworms might have been on the minds of the Colonial settlers or Native American tribesmen who bequeathed the entire calendar month (not just the full moon itself) this name. But another form of grub (not earthworms) may actually be the true originator of the moniker Full Worm Moon.
It was actually beetles, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The story goes, in the 1760s, the Colonial explorer from Massachusetts Captain Jonathan Carver met with the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes. He wrote that the name “Worm Moon” originated from beetle larvae which begin to emerge from the bark of thawing trees and other winter hideouts this time of year.
Jupiter and Venus Conjunction
10/03/23 16:00 Filed in: Photography | Berlin Community
In the early evening just as the sky was darkening on March 3rd, Jupiter and Venus came together in conjunction over the west horizon. This was just for a short time and won't happen again for another 9 years. I was fortunate to sit out on our porch and view with strong binoculars. I also was able to capture a bright view of them together with my iPhone. Vada and Victoria joined me to get a view of the planets and then the bright moon more to the south.
Comet NEOWISE
19/07/20 06:56 Filed in: Current Affairs
It was a beautiful, clear evening to see the stars last night. They were outstanding. Currently, there is a comet visible about 60-80 minutes seen after sundown for this month into August. It is Comet NEOWISE and won't be seen again here for more than 6800 years in the future. One has to look in the Northwest sky below Ursa Major just above the horizon. We could view it with our binoculars. How cool is that. More detail on the comet here.
A picture from the article here:
A picture from the article here:
