Look up tonight! Wednesday's full moon in Indiana will be the lowest in 20 years
If you're out and about Wednesday evening, take a moment to gaze up at the night sky. Experts say the full Strawberry Moon will shine at its lowest orbit in roughly 20 years.
Avid skywatchers can also spot the Milky Way, the "bright central bulge of our galaxy," writes NASA, which should be visible through August.
Here's what skywatchers should know.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025, is when the sweet Strawberry Moon is fullest. The moon's phases in June are:
June's Strawberry moon will be the lowest full moon in roughly 20 years, so look closer toward the horizon. Experts say the moon's low arc should give it a more yellowish or orange tint.
Story continues after photo gallery.
The reason the moon will appear lower is because the Earth is in the midst of "a major lunar standstill," writes EarthSky, which has to do with the moon's orbit around the Earth.
"It's all about the inclination of the moon's orbit, which undergoes an 18.6-year cycle," writes EarthSky's John Jardine Goss. "The cycle happens because the moon's orbit is being slowly dragged around — mostly due to the pull of the sun — every 18.6 years."
The last major lunar standstill occurred in 2006.
More about June 2025's full moon: It's been years since you've seen one that looks like this.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 10:09 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, crossing the meridian at 1:38 a.m. before setting at 6:01 a.m. Thursday.
You can check moonrise and moonset times for your zip code by visiting the Old Farmer's Almanac online.
Skies around Central Indiana are expected to be partly cloudy Wednesday night, June 11, with a low of around 64, according to an advanced forecast from the National Weather Service.
Similar to the Pink Moon, June's Strawberry Moon takes its name from seasonal plant growth, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Many ripening berries were ready to be harvested around this time in the northeastern United States.
Other names for June's full moon from Native American tribes include the Birth Moon, Hot Moon, Blooming Moon, and the Green Corn Moon.
The Milky Way can best be viewed somewhere far away from bright city lights. Find a dark, safe spot out in the country where you can see more stars in the sky.
If possible, head to Beverly Shores, near Gary, which is an International Dark Sky location and therefore an excellent place for stargazing. You can also travel to Kemil Beach at Indiana Dunes State Park and Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in Michigan, which also are designated dark sky locations, according to DarkSky International.
According to NASA, traces of the Milky Way will appear as a "faint, cloud-like band arching across the sky toward the south."
If you plan on observing the night sky this month, writes NASA, keep the following dates in mind for June 2025:
The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.
The full Buck Moon should reach peak illumination by Thursday, July 10, 2025.
When is the next full moon?: When every full moon shines in 2025. Dates, times and the history behind each name.
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