Strawberry Moon to rise this week: all you need to know about full moons
The Strawberry Moon, traditionally named after the strawberry harvest season in North America, will peak at 3:44 a.m. EDT on June 11, 2025, equivalent to 1:14 p.m. IST. Although the full phase technically occurs after midnight, the most striking sight is during its rise over the horizon at dusk on June 10.
Also Read: When the full moon lit the girivalam path at Thirukazhukundram
This year's Strawberry Moon occurs close to the summer solstice (June 21), which means the moon takes a low, stretched-out path across the sky. As a result, it may appear unusually large and deeply colored at moonrise, a phenomenon known as the 'moon illusion.'
When and where to watch Strawberry Moon in India?
The best time to view the Strawberry Moon is just after sunset on June 10, when the moon begins to rise in the southeastern sky. For optimal visibility, it's recommended to head to an open area with minimal light pollution. Observers in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata should look out from around 7:00 p.m. onwards, depending on local sunset times.
What are the other Full Moons?
The term 'Strawberry Moon' is part of a larger tradition of naming each full moon based on seasonal events. These include:
Wolf Moon (January): harkens to howling wolves during mid‑winter
Snow Moon (February): marks the heavy winter snow
Worm Moon (March): arrives as earthworms emerge in softened soil
Pink Moon (April): signals blooming pink wildflowers, not an actual pink hue
Strawberry Moon: Traditionally marks strawberry harvesting season
Harvest Moon (September/October): September's full corn moon is so called because this is when crops are gathered at the end of the summer season
Cold Moon (December): The coming of winter earned December's full moon the name cold moon.
Each name reflects agricultural, weather, or wildlife patterns of the time. NASA and the Old Farmer's Almanac note that June's Strawberry Moon is the sixth full moon of the year, followed by the Buck Moon in July and the Harvest Moon in September/October.
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