Facts The Science and History of the Strawberry Moon
Facts The Science and History of the Strawberry Moon
June's full Moon is an event that casts a glow on our celestial neighbour when sunlight completely illuminates the side of the Moon facing Earth – an occurrence that takes place every 29.5 days, marking a full lunar cycle.
It's been a long time since the full Moon appeared so low, with the previous occurrence dating back over 18 years to 2006, and it won't repeat until 2043.
But what exactly makes the Strawberry Moon standout, and does it actually look different?
The Moon gracefully orbits Earth on a slight tilt, completing a cycle over nearly 20 years.
This motion gives rise to fascinating events known as major and minor lunar standstills, where the Moon reaches extreme positions on the horizon, making it appear unusually high or low in the sky.
The Strawberry Moon is the full moon that occurs in June, named primarily by Native American Algonquin tribes to mark the ripening of wild strawberries in the northeastern United States during this time.
The name doesn’t refer to the moon’s color but to the seasonal harvesting of strawberries.
Other cultures have their own names for this moon,
such as Rose Moon (European, due to blooming roses),
Honey Moon or Mead Moon (European, linked to honey harvesting or weddings),
Hot Moon (for the start of summer heat), or Planting Moon (reflecting agricultural cycles).
In some Native American traditions, it’s also called the Berries Ripen Moon or Green Corn Moon.
Full moon names, including Strawberry Moon, were used by Native Americans and adopted by European settlers to track seasons. Other cultures, like Celtic and Chinese, have their own names, such as Horse Moon or Lotus Moon, reflecting local traditions.
Why Is It Called the Strawberry Moon?
The name “Strawberry Moon” originates from Native American Algonquin tribes, who used it to signal the time to gather ripe strawberries in June, a short harvesting season in North America.
The Maine Farmer’s Almanac popularized this name in the 1930s, drawing from Native American lunar calendars that tracked seasons.
The name reflects the natural cycle of the month, not the moon’s appearance, though it can sometimes appear reddish or golden when low on the horizon due to the atmosphere scattering shorter wavelengths of light (like blue) and letting redder hues dominate.
Key Facts About the Strawberry Moon
Date and Time in 2025: Peaks on June 11 at 7:44 GMT (1:14 PM IST).
Visible for about three days, from June 10 evening to June 12 morning.
Appearance: Typically appears golden or orange when low in the sky due to the moon illusion, not pink or red like strawberries.
In rare cases, during a supermoon (when the moon is at perigee, its closest point to Earth), it may appear 14% larger and 30% brighter.
Cultural Significance:
In Hindu tradition, the June full moon aligns with Vat Purnima, a festival where married women pray for their husbands’ longevity, tying threads around banyan trees, inspired by the Mahabharata legend of Savitri and Satyavan.
In Sri Lanka, Poson Poya celebrates the introduction of Buddhism during this moon.
The term “honeymoon” may derive from the European “Honey Moon,” linked to June weddings and mead consumption.
Astronomical Context: In 2025, the moon will be in Ophiuchus, not a zodiac constellation, and close to the summer solstice (June 20 or 21), making it one of the lowest full moons in the sky, enhancing its golden hue. Every 20 years, it coincides with the solstice, though not in 2025.
Not a Supermoon in 2025: It will be about 376,000 miles from Earth, closer than some full moons but not at perigee, so it won’t be dramatically larger.
Interesting Facts:
It marks the last full moon of spring, transitioning into summer.
This year, it will appear exceptionally bright due to Earth's position in its orbit.
The red supergiant star Antares will be visible near the moon, creating a stunning celestial pairing.
Coastal areas may experience higher tides due to the moon’s gravitational pull.
Where Can It Be Seen?
The Strawberry Moon is visible worldwide, including India, as long as the sky is clear and the moon is above the horizon.
Optimal viewing is after sunset when the moon rises in the southeast. In 2020, it coincided with a penumbral lunar eclipse in India, visible from 11:15 PM IST on June 5 to 2:34 AM IST on June 6, but no eclipse is noted for 2025.
For the best experience, find a spot with a clear view of the horizon, away from city lights. Binoculars can enhance details, but the naked eye is sufficient.
Visibility in India
Yes, the Strawberry Moon can be seen from India, weather permitting, as it’s a global event visible from anywhere the moon is above the horizon during its full phase.
In 2025, the Strawberry Moon will peak on June 11 at 7:44 GMT (1:14 PM IST), but it’s best viewed after sunset on June 10 or 11, looking southeast as the moon rises.
In India, sunset in New Delhi is around 7:23 PM IST, so the moon will be visible shortly after.
It may appear golden or slightly orange due to its low position near the horizon, caused by atmospheric scattering (the “moon illusion”).
The red supergiant star Antares in Scorpius may also be visible near the moon, creating a striking view
Below is the full Moon schedule for 2025, as well as the name given to each one:
Monday, January 13 – Wolf Moon
Wednesday, February 12 – Snow Moon
Friday, March 14 – Worm Moon
Saturday, April 12 – Pink Moon (Micromoon)
Monday, May 12 – Flower Moon (Micromoon)
Wednesday, June 11 – Strawberry Moon
Thursday, July 10 – Buck Moon
Saturday, August 9 – Sturgeon Moon
Sunday, September 7 – Corn Moon
Monday, October 6 – Hunter's Moon (Supermoon)
Wednesday, November 5 – Beaver Moon (Supermoon)
Photo - Strawberry Moon
