Tonight, sky watchers across the Northern Hemisphere will be treated to an astronomical spectacle nearly two decades in the making: the rise of the “Strawberry Moon,” the lowest full moon visible in almost 20 years. This luminous event, steeped in cultural history and cosmic mechanics, will grace the night sky beginning the evening of June 10 and linger into the early hours of June 11—reaching peak illumination at approximately 3:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
While the moniker “Strawberry Moon” may conjure images of a rosy-hued orb, the name actually originates from the Algonquin tribes of North America, who associated June’s full moon with the start of the wild strawberry harvest. The moon itself will appear more gold or amber than pink—especially as it rises close to the horizon—owing to the physics of atmospheric scattering. In certain regions, wildfire smoke or dust particles could deepen that hue, casting the moon in a dramatic reddish glow.
But what truly sets this year’s Strawberry Moon apart is its remarkably low arc across the sky. This rare trajectory is the result of a celestial phenomenon known as the major lunar standstill, an event that occurs only once every 18.6 years. During such a standstill, the Moon’s path reaches its most extreme declination—meaning it appears at its lowest and highest possible points in the sky, depending on the time of year. For the June full moon, this translates into a strikingly low position on the horizon, offering viewers a unique visual experience.
“This is the lowest full moon most people alive today will have ever seen,” said Dr. Elaine Griffith, a lunar scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “Its trajectory hugs the horizon, making it look unusually large and creating conditions for intense atmospheric color filtering.”
This optical illusion, often called the Moon illusion, can make the moon appear enormous as it rises—another reason for seasoned stargazers and casual viewers alike to look up.
To catch the full effect, experts advise finding a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon shortly after sunset. Urban light pollution may dull some of the finer details, but the sheer uniqueness of the event should still be discernible even in cities.
For those who miss tonight’s lunar rise, the opportunity won’t come again until 2043.
“As far as full moons go, this is about as rare and visually stunning as it gets,” Griffith added. “It’s a poetic alignment of celestial mechanics and cultural history.”
Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast with a telescope or a casual observer stepping outside for a moment of wonder, the Strawberry Moon promises a fleeting but unforgettable chapter in the ongoing story of our skies.
