It’ll rise low and bright, offering a rare lunar view not seen in years.
June 2025 Strawberry Moon: The Lowest Full Moon in Nearly 20 Years
The full moon of June 2025, known as the Strawberry Moon, will grace the night sky in the early hours of Wednesday, June 11, appearing remarkably low on the horizon — the lowest full moon in nearly two decades.
When to See the Strawberry Moon in June 2025
The Strawberry Moon will rise on the evening of Tuesday, June 10, and shine through the night into Wednesday morning. According to AccuWeather, this will be a “worldwide spectacle” visible from nearly every corner of the globe.
The moon will reach its peak illumination at 3:44 a.m. ET on June 11, but it will appear nearly full as it rises the night before.
Why Is It Called the Strawberry Moon?
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name “Strawberry Moon” originated from Native American tribes who saw it as a sign that wild strawberries were ripe for harvest in June.
Why Will the 2025 Strawberry Moon Appear Red or Pink?
Because of its unusually low position in the sky this year, the Strawberry Moon may appear more colorful than usual. Bob Bonadurer, planetarium director at the Milwaukee Public Museum, explains that June’s full moon takes a very low and shallow path across the sky, making it one of the most colorful full moons of the year.
When the moon is low, its light travels through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere, which can scatter shorter blue wavelengths and allow red and pink hues to dominate. As Dr. Chris Palma, professor of astronomy at Penn State University, told AccuWeather, “This can give the moon a reddish or pinkish glow, which may be part of the reason for its name.”
In addition, smoke from Canadian wildfires could amplify these effects, enhancing the moon’s reddish appearance.
Why Is the June 2025 Full Moon So Low?
This unusually low moon is due to a rare astronomical phenomenon called the Major Lunar Standstill. According to EarthSky, the moon is currently near the lowest point in its 18.6-year cycle, known as a standstill.
“This is all related to the tilt of the moon’s orbit, which slowly shifts every 18.6 years,” explained John Jardine Goss of EarthSky. The last time the moon was this low was in 2006, and the current major standstill will peak in January 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Date to watch: Evening of June 10, peak brightness at 3:44 a.m. ET on June 11
- Why it matters: Lowest full moon in nearly 20 years
- Color: Likely to appear red or pink due to atmospheric conditions and wildfire smoke
- Astronomical reason: Part of the Major Lunar Standstill cycle
Don’t miss this rare celestial event — the 2025 Strawberry Moon promises to be a breathtaking and colorful sight that won’t occur again for nearly two decades.
