The final full moon of the spring season will soon be shining in the night sky, and it carries a nickname that sounds both sweet and colorful. It is known as the June “strawberry moon,” but don’t expect this celestial body to give off a fruity-red tint.

This full moon will look just like any ordinary moon that is lit up during its biggest phase. That means it will appear golden-orange when it’s close to the horizon and white when it’s higher in the sky. At least in our part of the world.

Astronomy experts at NASA say the June full moon could give off a reddish tint when it starts rising in northern regions of Europe, because the closer we get to the summer solstice — the official start of summer — the lower the moon appears in the sky. And the moon will be hanging very low in that part of the world.

“Particularly for Europe’s higher latitudes, the full moon nearest the summer solstice shines through more atmosphere than at other times of the year,” NASA explains. “This can give the full moon a reddish or rose color — for much the same reasons that a rising or setting sun appears red.”

The full “strawberry moon" will be rising in the sky on Monday, June 17. It will look nearly full on the night of Sunday, June 16, and will be totally full on Monday night.Photo illustration by Aneta Esz | Pixabay

What time will the June moon be full?

The June strawberry moon will officially be at its fullest phase at 4:31 a.m. on Monday, June 17, on the East coast of the United States, so sky watchers will have a chance to see it at its best both Sunday night and Monday night. The moon will also look nearly full on Tuesday.

The moon will start rising in the eastern sky over New York City, Newark and Atlantic City at about 7:55 p.m. on Sunday, about 8:50 p.m. on Monday and about 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Observers in Philadelphia will be able to see the moon start rising in the eastern sky at 7:58 p.m. on Sunday, 8:57 p.m. on Monday and 9:49 p.m. on Tuesday.

For the moon-rise time in your city, check this schedule on TimeAndDate.com.

Why is it called the strawberry moon?

The most popular nickname of the June full moon “comes from the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries in northeastern North America,” NASA says, noting this nickname has been used by virtually every Algonquin tribe in the United States.

The “strawberry moon" nickname originated from the June strawberry harvest season.Pasja1000 | Pixabay

Other nicknames for the June full moon?

Just like most monthly moon nicknames, the June full moon has a few other monikers. In Europe, some people call it the “rose moon” — for reasons explained above — and some cultures call it the “hot moon” because it usually arrives when the summer heat starts ramping up.

Other people, according to HLNtv.com, refer to the June full moon as the “honey moon” or the “mead moon,” not because June is a popular month for weddings but because “its position is low in the sky (in our hemisphere at least) and the earth’s atmosphere can give it a warm tint.”

When does summer start?

The summer season of 2019 officially arrives on Friday, June 21, in the northern half of our planet. That date is when the summer solstice occurs — the moment when the earth’s north pole is at its maximum tilt toward the sun, and the sun reaches its highest point in the sky all year, causing more light to reach the northern hemisphere.

Folks in the weather world, such as meteorologists and climatologists, consider the first day of summer to be June 1, based on temperature patterns.

The full “strawberry moon" will be rising in the sky on Monday, June 17. It will look nearly full on the night of Sunday, June 16, and will be totally full on Monday night.Angelica Spinola Masy | Pixabay

When is the next full moon?

The first full moon of the summer season will be shining on the night of July 16, 2019.

The July full moon is commonly known as the full “buck moon,” referring to the growing antlers of male deer in July, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. Its other nicknames include the “thunder moon” and the “hay moon.”

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.