When the moon hits the sky, like a big pizza pie — sometimes, it’s an extra large.

At least, when it's an astrophysical sensation known as a “supermoon.”

On Tuesday evening — officially 9:23 p.m. — the “Strawberry Moon” will rise from the southeast.

As a supermoon, it might appear bigger and brighter than a normal full moon — "might" because to the casual observer, the difference may be a little hard to perceive. But from a scientific perspective, it's a big deal.

When the moon orbits Earth, it does so in an ellipse, meaning its distance from Earth changes every time we see it. Sometimes, the moon is at its farthest extreme (apogee), while other times it’s at its closest extreme (perigee). If we directly compare the perceived size of the Moon at these extremes, it will appear larger at perigee and smaller at apogee.

While there is no strict definition of a supermoon, explained Jim Lattis, director of UW Space Place, it is a special astrophysical case that occurs within 24 hours of when a full moon is at perigee. In other words, the moon within a day of being at its fullest, and at a point in its path that is closest to Earth.

"The closest approach is going to happen roughly every 27 days. And a full moon happens every 29½ days," said Jennifer Stafford, an astronomy graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "So it's not every month that we're going to have a supermoon."

On Tuesday, the full moon and perigee will be about 12 hours apart, qualifying it for supermoon status.

Although June’s supermoon is known as the “Strawberry Moon,” let’s set the record straight: It will not resemble a strawberry. It will not even be red. Or pink. 

The primary reason for it's name: tradition. 

In the 1930s, the Farmer’s Almanac began referring to full moons by their Native American names. 

"The moon is very sacred to Native Americans," said Stafford, who is from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in northern Wisconsin. "The moon holds wisdom, and it was a way for (Native Americans) to keep track of the seasons, a kind of naming system for the moons."

MOON GUIDE:What other names for moons are out there? Get the list.

Stafford said the name Strawberry Moon is linked to its relation to the quintessential summer fruit. Strawberry season in Wisconsin is typically mid-May through June. The relatively short — and often fickle — strawberry season inspired tribes to name June’s full moon the “Strawberry Moon,” celebrating the harvest. 

"Strawberries are the first fruit of the summer to ripen...the Strawberry Moon represents a reconciliation. It's one of the first annual feasts of the year," Stafford said.

Since any full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, on-lookers can see the Strawberry Supermoon anytime it's in the sky. If you live in a dense area with an obstructed view, it may be best to observe the moon when it's at its highest, around 1:00 a.m. Otherwise, the moon will be visible between 9:23 p.m. on Tuesday and 4:58 a.m. on Wednesday. 

Lattis' biggest tip for gazing at the moon is simply to get comfortable. Binoculars with a tripod are a plus, but simply lying back — or sitting in a lawn chair — and enjoying the view is the best way to experience the moon and all its beauty, he said.

"It's accessible to anyone who's interested in what's going on in the night sky," Lattis said. "People should be looking at the moon. Its appearances are... fascinating and complex."

If you miss this Tuesday's supermoon, don’t fret: Although they are unusual, we happen to be in a twofer this summer. Another one will hit the sky in July.

Summer 2022 is jam-packed with celestial events. Check out NASA’s daily schedule for the lunar events ahead and the Milwaukee Public Museum’s sky and space calendar, which includes the best nights to watch a few major meteor showers.