Why tonight's Strawberry Moon is a record-breaking, low-lying phenomenon we won't see again until 2043
On the night of June 19-20, 2025, skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere were treated to a rare astronomical event: the Strawberry Moon, a full moon that hung lower in the sky than it has in nearly two decades. This record-breaking, low-lying phenomenon, caused by a unique combination of celestial mechanics, won’t grace our skies again until 2043. Here’s why this Strawberry Moon is a once-in-a-generation event and how you can make the most of it.
What Is the Strawberry Moon? The term “Strawberry Moon” refers to the full moon that occurs in June, a name rooted in Native American traditions, particularly from the Algonquin tribes. It signifies the time of year when wild strawberries ripen in northeastern North America, marking the start of the berry-harvesting season. Despite its evocative name, the moon doesn’t take on a pink or red hue due to its moniker. However, this year’s Strawberry Moon may appear golden, orange, or even reddish due to its low position in the sky, as moonlight passes through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths and letting longer red wavelengths dominate.
Why Is the 2025 Strawberry Moon So Special? This year’s Strawberry Moon is extraordinary because it coincides with a rare astronomical event known as a major lunar standstill, or “lunistice,” which occurs every 18.6 years. Here’s what makes it stand out:
Lowest Full Moon in Decades: The 2025 Strawberry Moon is the lowest full moon since 2006, sitting unusually close to the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere. This is due to the moon’s orbit being at its maximum declination relative to Earth’s equator during the major lunar standstill. The moon rises and sets at its most extreme southern points, appearing to skim the southern horizon. In contrast, for viewers in the Southern Hemisphere, this moon will appear at its highest point in the sky.
The Moon Illusion: When the moon is low on the horizon, it appears significantly larger due to a psychological effect known as the “Moon Illusion.” This makes the 2025 Strawberry Moon look massive compared to when it’s higher in the sky, adding to its visual drama.
A Mini-Moon: Adding to its uniqueness, this Strawberry Moon is a “mini-moon,” meaning it’s at its farthest point from Earth (apogee) in its elliptical orbit. This makes it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than a typical full moon, but its low position and atmospheric effects more than compensate for its visual impact.
A Rare Event Until 2043: The major lunar standstill is a cyclical event driven by the sun’s gravitational pull on the moon’s tilted orbit, which shifts over an 18.6-year period. After 2025, the moon’s path will gradually change, and we won’t see another full moon this low until the next major lunar standstill in 2043.
Why Does the Major Lunar Standstill Happen? The moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to the ecliptic (the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun), which itself is tilted 23.5 degrees relative to Earth’s equator. The sun’s gravity causes the moon’s orbital tilt to oscillate over an 18.6-year cycle. During a major lunar standstill, the moon reaches its most extreme northern and southern positions on the horizon, appearing at its lowest in the Northern Hemisphere. This phenomenon is subtle but striking for those who regularly observe the moon’s rise and set points.
Cultural and Historical Significance The Strawberry Moon has deep cultural roots. For Native American tribes like the Anishinaabe, Sioux, Creeks, and Shawnee, June’s full moon was a marker of seasonal changes, linked to ripening berries like strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries. In Europe, it’s sometimes called the “Rose Moon” (for blooming roses) or “Mead Moon” (for honey harvesting), possibly inspiring the term “honeymoon.” In Sri Lanka, the June full moon aligns with Poson Poya, a festival commemorating the introduction of Buddhism, while in India, the Hindu festival Vat Purnima is celebrated during this time.
Strawberry Moon captured by Paolo Palma, Palombara Sabina, Roma, Italy, 10 June 2025. Equipment: Nikon Coolpix p510 camera
Historically, lunar standstills have fascinated ancient cultures. Sites like Stonehenge may have been aligned to track these extreme moonrises and moonsets, suggesting their importance to early astronomers.
Don’t Miss This Celestial EventThe Strawberry Moon of 2025 is a rare opportunity to witness a full moon at its most dramatic—low, large, and glowing with warm hues. Its unique position, driven by the major lunar standstill, won’t be seen again until 2043, making it a must-see for stargazers, photographers, and anyone who loves a good sky show.
So, grab a blanket, find a clear southeastern view, and look up tonight. Share your photos with communities like BBC Weather Watchers or Space.com, and let the Strawberry Moon remind you of the beauty and wonder of our universe.
Sources: BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Forbes, NASA, EarthSky, Time, Space.com, and posts on X. For more details, visit skyatnightmagazine.com or timeanddate.com.
Strawberry Moon captured by Sandra, Huntsville, Alabama, USA, 10 June 2025
Native American Names for June Moon Leaves Moon (Cree). Ripe Berries (Dakota). Hoer moon (Abernaki). Windy Moon (Choctaw). Summer moon (Kiowa). Buffalo Moon (Omaha). Leaf Moon (Assiniboine). Corn Tassel Moon(Taos). Green grass Moon(Sioux). Ripening Moon (Mohawk). Turtle Moon (Potawatomi). Making fat Moon (Lakota).Leaf Dark Moon (San Juan). Major Planting Moon (Hopi). Planting Moon (Neo Pagan). Fish Spoils Moon (Wishram). Water melon Moon (Natchez). Hot Weather moon (Arapaho). Dyad Moon (Medieval English). Strawberry Moon (Anishnaabe). Dark green leaves Moon (Pueblo). Summer Moon (Passamaquoddy). Green Corn Moon, Flower Moon (Cherokee). Mead Moon (Full Janic), Strawberry moon (Dark Janic). Honey Moon, Hot Moon, Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon (Algonquin).
Other Moon names : Hay Moon, Aerra Litha Moon, Strong Sun Moon, Lovers Moon Hot weather moon (Ponca).
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What Is the Strawberry Moon? The term “Strawberry Moon” refers to the full moon that occurs in June, a name rooted in Native American traditions, particularly from the Algonquin tribes. It signifies the time of year when wild strawberries ripen in northeastern North America, marking the start of the berry-harvesting season. Despite its evocative name, the moon doesn’t take on a pink or red hue due to its moniker. However, this year’s Strawberry Moon may appear golden, orange, or even reddish due to its low position in the sky, as moonlight passes through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths and letting longer red wavelengths dominate.
Why Is the 2025 Strawberry Moon So Special? This year’s Strawberry Moon is extraordinary because it coincides with a rare astronomical event known as a major lunar standstill, or “lunistice,” which occurs every 18.6 years. Here’s what makes it stand out:
Lowest Full Moon in Decades: The 2025 Strawberry Moon is the lowest full moon since 2006, sitting unusually close to the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere. This is due to the moon’s orbit being at its maximum declination relative to Earth’s equator during the major lunar standstill. The moon rises and sets at its most extreme southern points, appearing to skim the southern horizon. In contrast, for viewers in the Southern Hemisphere, this moon will appear at its highest point in the sky.
The Moon Illusion: When the moon is low on the horizon, it appears significantly larger due to a psychological effect known as the “Moon Illusion.” This makes the 2025 Strawberry Moon look massive compared to when it’s higher in the sky, adding to its visual drama.
A Mini-Moon: Adding to its uniqueness, this Strawberry Moon is a “mini-moon,” meaning it’s at its farthest point from Earth (apogee) in its elliptical orbit. This makes it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than a typical full moon, but its low position and atmospheric effects more than compensate for its visual impact.
Why Does the Major Lunar Standstill Happen? The moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to the ecliptic (the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun), which itself is tilted 23.5 degrees relative to Earth’s equator. The sun’s gravity causes the moon’s orbital tilt to oscillate over an 18.6-year cycle. During a major lunar standstill, the moon reaches its most extreme northern and southern positions on the horizon, appearing at its lowest in the Northern Hemisphere. This phenomenon is subtle but striking for those who regularly observe the moon’s rise and set points.
Cultural and Historical Significance The Strawberry Moon has deep cultural roots. For Native American tribes like the Anishinaabe, Sioux, Creeks, and Shawnee, June’s full moon was a marker of seasonal changes, linked to ripening berries like strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries. In Europe, it’s sometimes called the “Rose Moon” (for blooming roses) or “Mead Moon” (for honey harvesting), possibly inspiring the term “honeymoon.” In Sri Lanka, the June full moon aligns with Poson Poya, a festival commemorating the introduction of Buddhism, while in India, the Hindu festival Vat Purnima is celebrated during this time.
Historically, lunar standstills have fascinated ancient cultures. Sites like Stonehenge may have been aligned to track these extreme moonrises and moonsets, suggesting their importance to early astronomers.
Don’t Miss This Celestial EventThe Strawberry Moon of 2025 is a rare opportunity to witness a full moon at its most dramatic—low, large, and glowing with warm hues. Its unique position, driven by the major lunar standstill, won’t be seen again until 2043, making it a must-see for stargazers, photographers, and anyone who loves a good sky show.
So, grab a blanket, find a clear southeastern view, and look up tonight. Share your photos with communities like BBC Weather Watchers or Space.com, and let the Strawberry Moon remind you of the beauty and wonder of our universe.
Sources: BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Forbes, NASA, EarthSky, Time, Space.com, and posts on X. For more details, visit skyatnightmagazine.com or timeanddate.com.
Native American Names for June Moon Leaves Moon (Cree). Ripe Berries (Dakota). Hoer moon (Abernaki). Windy Moon (Choctaw). Summer moon (Kiowa). Buffalo Moon (Omaha). Leaf Moon (Assiniboine). Corn Tassel Moon(Taos). Green grass Moon(Sioux). Ripening Moon (Mohawk). Turtle Moon (Potawatomi). Making fat Moon (Lakota).Leaf Dark Moon (San Juan). Major Planting Moon (Hopi). Planting Moon (Neo Pagan). Fish Spoils Moon (Wishram). Water melon Moon (Natchez). Hot Weather moon (Arapaho). Dyad Moon (Medieval English). Strawberry Moon (Anishnaabe). Dark green leaves Moon (Pueblo). Summer Moon (Passamaquoddy). Green Corn Moon, Flower Moon (Cherokee). Mead Moon (Full Janic), Strawberry moon (Dark Janic). Honey Moon, Hot Moon, Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon (Algonquin).
Other Moon names : Hay Moon, Aerra Litha Moon, Strong Sun Moon, Lovers Moon Hot weather moon (Ponca).
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