The rare Strawberry Moon will appear exceptionally low in UK skies this June, offering stargazers a unique celestial spectacle that won’t occur again until 2043 due to lunar standstill.
June 2025’s Strawberry Moon promises to captivate astronomy enthusiasts across the UK with its unusually low position in the sky.
Here’s everything you need to know about this celestial event, including the origins of its name, its rarity, and optimal viewing times in the UK.
What does Strawberry Moon mean?
The Strawberry Moon’s name bears no relation to the lunar colour that observers will witness.
June’s full moon receives this moniker because it coincides with summer’s arrival and the commencement of strawberry harvesting season.
The BBC’s Sky at Night Magazine notes that this designation likely stems from Native American traditions, particularly the Algonquin people, who used it to mark the beginning of wild strawberry gathering in northeastern America.
How rare is a Strawberry Moon?
Whilst a Strawberry Moon appears annually in June, this year’s lunar display is exceptional due to its remarkably low sky position, resulting from a ‘major lunar standstill’ that occurred earlier this year.
The BBC explains this phenomenon occurs when the Moon reaches the extremities of its Earth orbit, rising and setting at its most northern and southern horizon points.
This astronomical event happens every 18.6 years, meaning the next similarly positioned Moon won’t appear until 2043.
Temperature Rise and Thunderstorms Expected This Week
When to see the Strawberry Moon in the UK?
June 10th evening may offer the finest viewing opportunity for the Strawberry Moon, as the Met Office predicts clear skies across portions of the UK.
The forecast indicates a dry evening with clear intervals nationwide. Tonight will see little change, featuring variable cloud cover and clear spells. The clearest conditions are expected in northern regions, where temperatures will drop. Southern areas will remain mild, though some patchy fog may develop.
