Around the full moon, Copernicus' ray system, extending 500 miles (800 km) in all directions, becomes prominent. Starting several nights before the moon reaches its full phase, Copernicus exhibits heavily terraced edges (due to slumping), an extensive ejecta blanket outside the crater's rim, a complex central peak, and both smooth and rough terrain on the crater's floor. This 800 million-year-old impact scar is visible with unaided eyes and binoculars - but telescope views will reveal many more interesting aspects of lunar geology.
The prominent crater Copernicus is located in eastern Oceanus Procellarum - due south of Mare Imbrium and slightly northwest of the moon's center. Sunday, June 4: Mercury passes Uranus (pre-dawn)Ĭrater Copernicus (Image credit: Chris Vaughan/Starry Night) Since sunlight is hitting the moon face-on at that time, no shadows are cast - all of the variations in brightness you see arise from differences in the reflectivity, or albedo, of the lunar surface rocks. The moon is only completely full when it is opposite the sun in the sky, so full moons always rise in the east as the sun is setting, and set in the west at sunrise. The Cherokee call it Tihaluhiyi, the Green Corn Moon, when crops are growing. The Mohawks call it Ohiarí:Ha, the Fruits are Small Moon. For the Cree Nation it's Opiniyawiwipisim, the Egg Laying Moon (referring to the activities of wild water-fowl). The indigenous Ojibwe people of the Great Lakes region call this moon Ode'miin Giizis, the Strawberry Moon.
The June full moon, colloquially known as the Strawberry Moon, Mead Moon, Rose Moon, Birthing Moon, or Hot Moon, always shines in or near the stars of Sagittarius, the Archer. The moon will officially reach its full phase at 03:42 GMT on Sunday, June 3, which converts to 11:42 p.m. Full Strawberry Moon (Image credit: Chris Vaughan/Starry Night)
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