Strawberry Moon 2025: Rare Lunar Standstill to Illuminate New York Night Sky

Spectacle on the Horizon: The Strawberry Moon Returns

If you’re out in New York on the night of June 10, 2025, keep your eyes peeled—because our city is set for something pretty special. The Strawberry Moon isn’t just any full moon. Thanks to a rare cosmic alignment called a "major lunar standstill," this moon will hang especially low in the sky, lighting up the evening like you probably haven’t seen since 2006. Miss it this time, and you’ll have to wait until 2043 for another show like this.

So, what exactly makes it so unique? First off, the name. Early summer’s full moon got tagged “Strawberry Moon” by Native American groups, who noticed it matched up with the brief strawberry harvesting season. But this year, there’s a cool astronomical twist. Every 18.6 years, the moon’s path through the sky swings to an extreme. Astronomers call this a lunar standstill. It changes how high (or in this case, how low) the full moon climbs each month, so you’ll see it skimming the horizon, bigger and more golden than usual.

How and Where to Watch This Rare Moon

Mark your calendar for around 8:30 PM. That’s when the Strawberry Moon will peek above the southeastern horizon in New York, looking almost oversized—thanks partly to an optical illusion that happens whenever it’s close to the ground. This isn’t just a photographer’s dream (though there will be plenty out with their lenses pointed at the sky). For anyone with a clear view and a few minutes to spare, it’s one of those moments you remember.

The secret to enjoying the best view? Find a spot where city lights won’t outshine the moon’s glow. Rooftops, hilltops, or even piers facing southeast offer prime moon-watching real estate. Pack binoculars if you want to zoom in and check out craters and ridges, but honestly, just your eyes are enough to take in the scene. If you’re aiming to snap a few photos, the contrast of that orange moon rising next to Manhattan’s skyline is unbeatable—and doesn’t demand fancy gear.

This low-hanging moon has everything to do with some pretty wild cosmic geometry. The Earth’s axis is tilted, and the moon’s orbit has a slant, too. During a lunar standstill, these angles combine to lay the moon closer to the celestial equator during June’s full moon. It doesn’t just make it pop visually—it also means the moonlight might feel just a bit more magical, especially on a warm summer night.

Events like the Strawberry Moon don’t just delight stargazers—they connect us with centuries of tradition and some of the most dramatic sights the natural world serves up. If you’re around New York in June 2025, this is one show you really don’t want to miss.