The Strawberry Moon 2025 delivered a breathtaking display for skywatchers around the world this June, painting skylines with its soft pink-orange glow. From New York to Sydney, stargazers were treated to an extraordinary full moon experience marked by a rare astronomical event known as a lunar standstill. The stunning images that flooded social media are not just a feast for the eyes—they tell the story of a celestial moment that won’t be repeated for nearly two decades.
In Dubai, the full moon blends seamlessly into the city skyline. [Credit: Fadel Senna/AFP]
A Global Spectacle Illuminates the Night
On June 10 and 11, Strawberry Moon 2025 lit up the skies across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The moon appeared unusually low on the horizon in many locations, casting a warm, peachy hue that made landmarks glow under its light. Some of the most memorable shots came from:
- New York City, where the moon kissed the tip of the Empire State Building.
The glowing Strawberry Moon ascends behind New York City’s Empire State Building, captured from Weehawken, New Jersey. [Credit: Gary Hershorn/Corbis News via Getty Images]
- Valletta, Malta, where it rose majestically behind the dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Strawberry Moon ascends behind the steeple of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral and the dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta, as viewed from Sliema, Malta, on June 10, 2025. [Credit: REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi]
- Sydney, Australia, where a plane seemingly sliced through the glowing orb as it climbed into the night sky.
A plane crosses in front of the full ‘Strawberry Moon’ as it rises over Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia. [Credit: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images]
- Athens, Greece, where it hung over the ancient Parthenon like a glowing crown.
The moon ascends behind the historic Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, located roughly 70km south of Athens, Greece. [Credit: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris]
One especially viral image captured the moon rising over St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, England, framed by sea mist and twilight—a postcard-perfect moment.
The full moon, also known as the Strawberry Moon rises over St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay. [Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images]
The Science Behind the Spectacle
What made this lunar event so extraordinary was its timing with a major lunar standstill, an event that occurs only once every 18.6 years. During this period, the moon’s orbit tilts to its maximum relative to the Earth, causing it to rise and set at the most extreme points along the horizon.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this made the Strawberry Moon 2025 appear lower and more elongated, magnifying its glow. In contrast, viewers in the Southern Hemisphere—including cities like Sydney and Melbourne—witnessed the moon hanging unusually high in the sky, adding to its mystique.
A couple admires the bright Strawberry Moon rising over Williamstown Beach in Melbourne. The rare June full moon appeared 14% larger and 30% brighter due to its closeness to Earth. [Credit: Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images]
This year’s lunar standstill marked only the second of the current cycle. The last occurred in 2006 and the next won’t happen again until 2043—making this event a once-in-a-generation viewing opportunity.
Why Is It Called the Strawberry Moon?
Despite its pinkish tint, the Strawberry Moon isn’t named for its colour. The name comes from the seasonal ripening of wild strawberries, particularly in North America. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the term was first coined by the Algonquin tribes of the northeastern United States, and also used by Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples.
In other cultures, June’s full moon has gone by names like the Green Corn Moon, the Hot Moon, or the Honey Moon, each referencing seasonal transitions or natural events.
Finally, while it lacked a pink hue, the full moon still put on a stunning display as it emerged through clouds above Bondi Beach in Sydney. [Credit: Saeed Khan/AFP]
What Makes Strawberry Moon 2025 So Memorable?
While the moon rises every night, the Strawberry Moon 2025 had a combination of factors that made it stand out:
- Its alignment with a major lunar standstill.
- The moon’s position close to the horizon, enhancing its reddish hue.
- Clear skies in many major global cities that made for perfect viewing conditions.
- A deep cultural connection through its name and meaning, especially in Indigenous lore.
For many Australians and astronomy lovers around the globe, this was not just another full moon—it was a reminder of the beauty and wonder that our universe offers when we take the time to look up.
Looking Ahead
If you missed the Strawberry Moon 2025, don’t worry. While the lunar standstill won’t occur again until 2043, next year’s June full moon will still be a beautiful sight to behold. Keep an eye on local astronomical calendars and photography forums—many amateur and professional photographers are already planning their setups for the next lunar events.
Whether you’re a dedicated astrophotographer or someone who simply loves gazing at the sky, moments like these are a universal reminder of how magical and shared our view of the cosmos really is.
