June’s Strawberry Moon

Written by: Keya Gambhir

This month’s full Strawberry Moon will rise in the night sky on June 10, glowing with warm amber hues as it graces the southeastern horizon just after sunset. Known for its colorful appearance and cultural significance, this annual lunar event is expected to be especially dazzling this year.

The full Strawberry Moon reaches peak illumination in the early morning hours of June 11 at 3:44 a.m. Eastern Time, though the most visually stunning time to see it will be moonrise on June 10. During this moment, the moon appears unusually large and tinted in shades of yellow-orange due to the Earth's atmosphere scattering light near the horizon. This optical effect, often called the moon illusion, makes the moon seem both bigger and closer than it truly is.

Despite its name, the Strawberry Moon does not actually appear pink or red. The nickname comes from the Algonquian tribes of North America, who associated this full moon with the short strawberry harvesting season in early summer. Other Indigenous groups have referred to it as the Hot Moon, the Blooming Moon, the Birth Moon, or the Hatching Moon, each name highlighting themes of growth, warmth, and new life. In parts of Europe, it has also been called the Rose Moon or the Honey Moon. The latter name is sometimes linked to June weddings and the beginning of the summer honey harvest.

What makes this year’s Strawberry Moon even more unique is its place in a larger astronomical cycle. According to EarthSky, this moon will appear unusually low in the sky for those in the Northern Hemisphere because of a rare phenomenon called a major lunar standstill. This event happens roughly every 18.6 years and causes the moon to rise and set at its most extreme northern and southern points on the horizon. As a result, the Strawberry Moon will follow a shallow arc across the southern sky, offering especially striking views near the horizon.

In New York, moonrise will occur around 8:30 p.m., while in Los Angeles, it will be visible closer to 8:00 p.m. For the best experience, try to find a location away from city lights with a clear view of the eastern or southeastern horizon. Elevated areas like hills, rooftops, or coastal cliffs are ideal. While the moon can be admired easily with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope can help you see surface details such as lunar craters and ridges caused by ancient impacts.

This year, there is also a special sight in store for viewers in the Southern Hemisphere. Stargazers in the South Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, may be able to witness the moon pass in front of Antares, the brightest star in the Scorpius constellation. This brief event, known as a lunar occultation, will happen on June 10 or 11, depending on the viewer’s location, and will be visible shortly after sunset or later in the evening.

Whether you are a passionate skywatcher or simply looking for a moment of wonder, the Strawberry Moon offers a beautiful reason to pause and look up. With its warm glow and rare placement in the sky, it promises to be one of the most memorable full moons of 2025.