Strawberry Moon: How To See The Supermoon In NYC

NEW YORK CITY — Skywatchers in New York City Thursday night will catch a glimpse of the Strawberry Moon, the last supermoon of 2021.

Despite its name, the moon will be large and gold in color as it rises above the horizon.

Though it wasn't visible at the time, the moon hit peak illumination at 2:40 p.m. Thursday, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. But there will still be plenty of moon to see as skies darken.

Expect the Strawberry Moon to rise around 8:53 p.m. and set around 5:59 a.m. Friday, according to timeanddate.com.

Fortunately, forecasts predict Thursday will have mostly clear skies overnight.

The Strawberry Moon is 2021's last supermoon, according to NASA. It is called a supermoon because the moon comes closest to Earth and looks bigger and brighter than usual.

June’s full moon — typically the last full moon of spring or the first of summer — was used by the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota tribes, among others, to mark the ripening of strawberries that are ready to be gathered, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Also called the Berries Ripen Moon, Blooming Moon, Green Corn Moon or Hoer Moon, each name reflects how June is a month in which flowers bloom and early fruit ripens.

Patch editor Chris Mosby contributed to this story.