The Strawberry Moon, the seventh full moon of 2026, will peak at 12:57am BST on June 30, appearing low in the sky with a coppery, crimson hue. However, its low position may make it challenging to observe, as it will sit close to the horizon, requiring a clear south-easterly view.
What Is the Strawberry Moon?
The Strawberry Moon is the traditional name for the June full moon, derived from Native American and Algonquin traditions, marking the time of the first strawberry harvests. European names include the Rose Moon, Honey Moon, and Mead Moon. This year's Strawberry Moon is also a micromoon, meaning it occurs at the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, so it appears slightly smaller than usual. However, due to its low position near the horizon, it may still look larger due to an optical illusion.
When and Where to See the Strawberry Moon
The moon will rise on Monday, June 29, and reach its peak at 12:57am on June 30, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Viewing times may vary by location. For the best view, look low in the southern sky with an unobstructed south-easterly horizon. On the night of June 27, the moon will appear near the star Antares, known as the 'scorpion's heart', in the constellation Scorpio, offering a striking pairing.
Why Does the Strawberry Moon Appear Reddish?
The moon's coppery colour is due to Rayleigh scattering. As the moon sits low on the horizon, its light travels through more of Earth's atmosphere, where shorter wavelengths (blue, green) are scattered away, leaving longer wavelengths (red, orange) to reach our eyes. Additionally, pollution, dust, and water vapour in the atmosphere further filter out blue light, enhancing the reddish hue.
2026 Full Moon Names
Each full moon has a traditional name: January – Wolf Moon, February – Snow Moon, March – Worm Moon, April – Pink Moon, May – Flower Moon, second May full moon – Blue Moon, June – Strawberry Moon, July – Buck Moon, August – Sturgeon Moon, September – Corn Moon, October – Hunter's Moon, November – Beaver Moon, December – Cold Moon.
