Strawberry Moon lights up global skylines — These viral images are unreal
Skywatchers were treated to a rare celestial sight: the Strawberry Moon shone low in the sky with pink-orange hues, best seen from New York, Florida, the UK, Cyprus, and Italy. See the mesmerizing photos of the rare Strawberry Moon casting its glow over landmarks and skylines across the world.
Skywatchers across the globe were treated to a rare and radiant lunar spectacle from Tuesday night into early Wednesday — the Strawberry Moon, which glowed with soft pink and orange hues and appeared unusually low in the sky.
Where it was seen best
The moon’s warm tones were especially visible in: New York City, Florida, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Italy, and in India.
Notable images included:
- The Strawberry Moon glowing orange as it passed the tip of the Empire State Building
- The moon rising behind Torre del Serpe in Otranto, Italy, casting a gentle light
A rare lunar event
This wasn’t just another Strawberry Moon. It stood out for being exceptionally low-hanging in the sky.
The full moon reached peak brightness at 3:44 a.m. ET on Wednesday, according to the Farmer’s Almanac
The phenomenon was due to a major lunar standstill, a rare astronomical event that happens only once every 18.6 years
What is a lunar standstill?
It occurs when the Moon's orbit reaches its maximum tilt relative to Earth
This causes the Moon to rise and set at its most extreme points along the horizon
As a result, the Moon appears lower in the sky than usual in the Northern Hemisphere
Key dates:
- Last standstill: 2006
- Next standstill: 2043
This year’s Strawberry Moon marked the second year of the current lunar standstill cycle.
Why it's called the Strawberry Moon
Despite its reddish tint, the “Strawberry Moon” is not named for its color.
The name originates from:
The seasonal ripening of wild strawberries in parts of the Northern Hemisphere
Coined by Algonquin tribes of the northeastern US.
Also used by Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples
Other traditional names for June’s full moon:
Birth Moon
Berries Ripen Moon
Honey Moon
Mead Month