Full Strawberry Moon will be lowest in UK skies since 2006

A full Strawberry Moon will grace UK skies tonight, coupled with a rare phenomenon not seen in almost 20 years.

Stargazers in the northern hemisphere spotted an almost full Moon sitting very low in the southern sky, making it appear much larger than usual overnight on Tuesday.

Caused by an event known as a 'major lunar standstill', Wednesday night marks the peak of the full Moon.

The opportunity to see the Moon this low in the sky will not arise again until 2043.

As the full moon rises on Wednesday night, clear skies are expected over large parts of England up to south-west Scotland.

Cloud is forecast across Northern Ireland, north-west Scotland, the Western Isles and the south-west of England, lessening chances of getting a good view of the full Strawberry Moon.

The Moon rises in the east and sets in the west just like the Sun.

It will also look full in the days before and after the peak, so you have an extra chance to spot it if you miss it tonight.

Don't forget you can find your local forecast on the BBC Weather App.

The Strawberry Moon is the name given to the full Moon in June. It is named after the harvest season observed by indigenous Americans, signalling the time of year that wild strawberries were harvested, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, external.

Full moons were given nicknames to help keep track of time and monitor the changing seasons.

June's full Moon is usually the lowest-hanging of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is likely to be exaggerated this month as a result of a 'major lunar standstill' which took place earlier this year - the effects of which can still be seen.

This is when the Moon reaches the extremes of its orbit around the Earth, rising and setting at its most northerly and southerly positions on the horizon. It happens every 18.6 years and the effects are most visible during a full Moon.

Another Moon this low is not expected until 2043.

It is true that the Strawberry Moon may appear to take on a reddish tinge. But it is nothing to do with its name.

The position of the Moon so close to the horizon means that the light it reflects towards Earth passes through the thicker, lower layer of atmosphere.

Shorter wavelengths of light ('blue light') are scattered while longer wavelengths of light - such as red - reach our eyes, making the Moon appear red much like a colourful sunset.

If you manage to catch the Strawberry Moon on camera, why not share your photographs with BBC Weather Watchers.