Late last night the Moon rose above the south-eastern horizon in the constellation of Scorpius, very close to the bright star Antares. Greek scholars will know that this name means 'Rival of Mars', referring to its obvious red colour.
Coincidentally, because of its proximity to the horizon, the Moon itself was also a striking orange-red. Apparently the June full Moon was known to native Americans as the Strawberry Moon, since it coincided with the ripening of the first wild strawberries. In the UK it was more frequently referred to as the 'Honey Moon'.
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