Sensational Strawberry Moon 2025: Deepest full moon visible since 2007!

Sensational Strawberry Moon 2025: Deepest full moon visible since 2007!

Today, June 15, 2025, astronomy enthusiasts can admire a very special spectacle in the sky: the Strawberry Moon. This rare natural phenomenon only occurs approximately every 18.6 years. The full moon will be visible on June 11th at 9:43 a.m. CEST, having already appeared in all its glory the night before. This year the moon is particularly low above the horizon - it is the lowest full moon over the northern hemisphere since 2007. The reason for this is the great lunar standstill, which is caused by the orbital dynamics of the moon and the tilt of the ecliptic. The moon reaches an extreme declination of −28°24.1′

Expectations are high in the run-up to the spectacle. The strawberry moon will be particularly visible just south of the Main, provided the sky is clear. The Strawberry Moon's low position makes it appear golden yellow to orange-red, an impressive spectacle caused by atmospheric effects such as Rayleigh scattering. This ensures that the short-wave blue light is scattered and only warmer light penetrates the atmosphere. The moon can look particularly impressive through this filter.

Peculiarities and perception

But what makes this strawberry moon so special? The moon illusion makes it appear larger near the horizon than it actually is. Although this optical illusion is not fully understood, it is often explained by our brain comparing the moon to nearby objects. This is similar to the sun, which is also perceived to be larger at a deep sunset. In summer, the moon's orbit is particularly flat over the horizon, which means these effects often occur.

For North Americans, from whom the name “strawberry moon” comes, June marks the beginning of the strawberry harvest. In Germany, this full moon is also called the “rose moon” because the roses bloom during this time. Another nickname is “Fallow Moon,” which refers to the often fallow fields that are worked during this month. With this mix of meanings and names, the June full moon shows its versatile side.

Astronomical facts

Regarding the astronomical facts, it should be noted that although the Strawberry Moon is not classified as a "supermoon" - it is approximately 399,600 kilometers from Earth - it can still impress in its apparent size and color, especially if the weather conditions cooperate. The next opportunity to observe a full moon with a similarly extreme declination will not occur again until 2043.

The interaction of the various astronomical factors and the cultural stories surrounding the strawberry moon make June 2025 a special experience. Elevated positions with a clear view to the southeast offer the best chances of observing this celestial spectacle well after sunset. If the weather cooperates and the sky is clear, the Strawberry Moon will undoubtedly be a sight to remember.