‘Strawberry moon’ set to dazzle as rare lunar standstill graces the night sky

SEATTLE — The full moon will rise tonight, and it will be a beauty!

The June full moon is known as the “Strawberry Moon” due to the berries starting to brighten and peak this time of year.

The moon names have gained traction in recent years on social media and come from various cultures around the world, especially from Native Americans.

For example, the January version is called the “Wolf Moon,” and the September orb goes by the well-known moniker “the Harvest Moon.”

Because of its position in the lunar orbit, tonight’s full moon will be at its lowest point on the horizon.

This is known as a “lunar standstill” and only happens every couple of decades; this particular Strawberry Moon is extra special!

However, in order to see this celestial sight, the weather has to cooperate. Around the Sound, we should still enjoy starry skies as the moon is at its peak between midnight and one in the morning.

However, the coast is already fogging up, and that thick marine stratus will likely block most of the lunar viewing from La Push to Long Beach.