Sky and space enthusiasts have a stunning celestial event to look forward to and the wait won’t be long. According to BBC’s Sky at Night magazine, on June 30 we will be treated to a “Strawberry Moon”.
Experts explain that ordinarily, the Strawberry Moon is the sixth full Moon of the year. However, May 2026 saw a second full Moon occur. As a result, the end of the month will bring the seventh full Moon of the year. It is expected to rise in the southeast between June 29 and 30, roughly around sunset.
You can see this gorgeous Moon on June 30 at around 1am. Time and Date confirm people can expect it to be visible at 12:56am for people in the UK.
Perhaps surprisingly, no – certainly not the deep, vivid red you might be imagining. Full Moon names don’t typically reflect the Moon’s actual appearance. However, as this month’s Moon sits lower in the sky, it may take on an orange or reddish hue when near the horizon. The colour has no connection to the “Strawberry” name, and occurs simply because Earth’s atmosphere scatters the light.
Why is it called a Strawberry Moon?
Every full Moon has a traditional name tied to natural events in that time of year. June’s full Moon is named after the red fruit because it marks the start of strawberry season in early summer. The magazine explains that the name is said to have “originated from Native American tribes, in particular the Algonquin tribe, to mark the beginning of wild strawberry season in northeastern parts of North America.”
The Moon’s illusion
Experts explain that the Moon can seem larger when it is close to the horizon, even though its actual size does not change. The reason for this illusion isn’t fully known, but it’s believed to be related to how the brain interprets distance and perspective.
You may even notice the Moon appears orange in colour. NASA experts explain: “There’s one notable way in which the Moon’s appearance is actually different when it’s low in the sky. It tends to have a more yellow or orange hue, compared to when it’s high overhead.
“This happens because the Moon’s light travels a longer distance through the atmosphere. As it travels a longer path, more of the shorter, bluer wavelengths of light are scattered away, leaving more of the longer, redder wavelengths.”
The expert also notes that dust and pollution can intensify the red hue.