Strawberry Moon 2025 fever: Why Tuesday's moon is anything but ordinary

Time of India

2 days ago

On 10–11 June, the full
Strawberry Moon
will appear unusually large and low in the UK sky, due to a rare celestial event not seen since 2006. The phenomenon—called a '
major lunar standstill
'—won't return until 2043.
The Moon will rise just after sunset on 10 June and reach its peak brightness in the early hours of 11 June. Best visible across the southeastern horizon, this full Moon may take on a reddish glow, adding to its spectacle.
Why this full moon is so rare
Every June, skywatchers mark the arrival of the Strawberry Moon, a name that dates back centuries. But this year's event is different. Due to a major lunar standstill—a cycle that only occurs every 18.6 years—the Moon will appear much lower in the sky than usual.
Jennifer Wexler, an archaeologist and historian in the UK, explained, "Over the course of a year, the Sun follows a fixed cycle of changing positions in the sky. However, the Moon's cycle is much more rapid."
She added, "Through its phases, the Moon acts as timekeeper for societies around the globe, past and present. But the Moon also has a further cycle that is far longer... This two-year period is what is known as a major lunar standstill, or lunistice, and it only occurs every 18.6 years."
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In simple terms, during this standstill, the Moon's rising and setting points reach their most extreme northern and southern limits on the horizon. This results in exceptionally low full Moons—like the one the UK will see this week.
What is the strawberry moon?
Despite its name, the Strawberry Moon isn't pink.
The name comes from the Algonquin people of North America, who used it to mark the short strawberry-picking season in June. The Old Farmer's Almanac notes that other cultures also had their own names: Blooming Moon, Green Corn Moon, Birth Moon, and Hatching Moon among them.
What can give the Moon a reddish hue is its position near the horizon. Light from the Moon travels through more of Earth's atmosphere at this angle. Shorter blue wavelengths scatter, and the longer red ones reach our eyes—creating that deep, sunset-like glow.
Still, the nickname sticks, and the visual payoff can be spectacular.
When and where to see it
Tuesday night, 10 June, will offer the best chance to see this rare lunar spectacle. With mostly clear skies forecast for parts of the UK, visibility should be good in many regions.
Look to the southeastern horizon shortly after sunset. The Moon will rise in the east and set in the west, just like the Sun. Check your local moonrise time using a website like TimeandDate.com for best accuracy.
Tips to make the most of it
This Strawberry Moon might not repeat in your lifetime, so here's how to watch it well:
Choose a wide, open space with a clear view of the southeastern sky. Coastlines, hilltops, and fields offer the best perspectives.
Don't worry about fancy equipment. Binoculars or a telescope are optional. The full Moon is striking enough to enjoy with the naked eye.
Snap a photo. The Moon will appear larger than usual due to the "Moon illusion," a quirky trick of the brain that exaggerates its size when it's low on the horizon.
Bring a chair and relax. As simple as it sounds, the best way to enjoy the Moon is to sit back and watch.
This isn't just another full Moon. It's a convergence of nature's rhythms that rarely line up. As Wexler put it, the major lunar standstill creates a dramatic shift in the Moon's path, and after this year, it won't return for another 18 years.
In the meantime, June's Strawberry Moon offers a moment to pause, look up, and marvel.
One Moon. One night. One chance in a generation.