The strawberry moon, June's full moon, will rise tonight over the UK, reaching its peak at 12:57am overnight. This full moon is particularly notable because it is also a micromoon, appearing slightly smaller and dimmer than usual due to its position at apogee, the farthest point from Earth in its orbit.
What is a strawberry moon?
A strawberry moon is the name traditionally given to the sixth full moon of the calendar year. Despite its name, the moon does not appear red or strawberry-colored; it looks like any ordinary full moon. The name originates from Native American culture, where strawberries were harvested in June across North America. According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, other cultures have different names for June's full moon, such as the rose moon in Europe or the hot moon, marking the beginning of summer heat.
This year, the strawberry moon is the seventh full moon because May had a rare blue moon (a second full moon in the same month). Last month, stargazers shared pictures of the blue micromoon rising above rooftops and trees across the UK.
Best time to see the strawberry moon in the UK
The strawberry moon began rising in the late evening in the UK and will reach its peak illumination at approximately 12:57am overnight. Because it is a micromoon, visibility may be slightly reduced, especially in areas with poor weather. However, skywatchers are encouraged to check the sky if they can stay awake until late.
Upcoming full moons in the UK
If you miss tonight's strawberry moon, several full moons are coming in the following months:
- Buck moon: July 29 at 3:36pm
- Sturgeon moon: August 28 at 5:18am
- Harvest moon: September 26 at 5:49pm
- Hunter's moon: October 26 at 4:12am
- Beaver moon: November 24 at 2:53pm
- Cold moon: December 24 at 1:28am
Many of these, including the buck moon, harvest moon, and beaver moon, will peak during more convenient hours, offering additional opportunities for observation.
