A Scottish beach has been named as the top spot to see the rare 'Strawberry Moon' this weekend.
The Strawberry Moon is the title given to the June full moon, and is named after the fact that strawberry harvests usually take place during this time. The moon will be visible on Sunday, June 4 and will reach peak illumination at 4.41am.
With online searches for ‘strawberry moon 2023’ skyrocketing by 6,186% in the last week, experts at Parkdean Resorts investigated the best places to catch a glimpse of the moon as it makes its only appearance this year.
According to the researchers, Luskentyre Beach on the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides is the "standout" destination in the UK to see the rare moon this weekend. With a Bortle rating of one, the beach has very high nighttime visibility due to low levels of light pollution.
Luskentyre Beach is therefore regarded as a top stargazing spot, with even the Northern Lights often being viewable. If you want the best shot of getting a perfect view of the Strawberry Moon, Luskentyre should be your number one destination.
However, even if you are unable to travel to Harris this weekend, you can still maximise your chances of seeing the rare moon.
In general, the higher up you are, the more likely you are to have a clear view of the night sky — and will also be able to see low down to the horizon to watch the moon rise. If you can, you should explore your local surroundings ahead of the weekend to find the best local stargazing spot.
Additionally, the further you are from light pollution, the better chance you'll have of seeing the stars. Moons always rise in the east and set in the west, so follow this direction in your search.
Another tip for those wanting to try and see the moon from the comfort of their own home is to turn off the lights, as this can improve the visibility of the night sky. Artificial light can make it harder to see stars in the sky so make sure wherever you are is as dark as possible.
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