The highly anticipated Strawberry Moon 2025 lit up the skies on June 10, leaving stargazers across India, the United States, the UK, and Europe awestruck. In India, the full moon reached full illumination around 7:37 PM IST, appearing unusually low on the horizon with a glowing golden-orange hue, a rare effect due to the major lunar standstill.
Meanwhile, in the UK, skywatchers caught the mesmerising lunar rise between 7:30-9:00 PM local time, depending on the region. The celestial event, also observed as Jyeshtha Purnima in India, offered a breathtaking view that blended astronomical rarity with cultural relevance, making it a night to remember.
Is the Strawberry Moon pink in color?
After celebrating the rare and celestial beauty of the Strawberry Moon, questions arose among the skywatchers, ‘Does the moon suppose to look pink?’. Well, the answer is ‘no’, the name comes from Native American tribes who linked this June full moon with the ripening of wild strawberries.
The June Strawberry Moon was a major event this year, marking the lowest full moon in almost two decades. This celestial wonder was witnessed after 18.5 years and is believed not to occur until 2043, as per astronomers' research.
Where was the best view?
As per reports, the UK witnessed the lowest moon in 18.5 years, painting the most beautiful sight. But it was opposite in Australia, “This time it will be as high as it will ever get in the sky,” University of Southern Queensland astrophysics professor Jonti Horner said.
The UK witnessed the lowest moon, although there is not a very noticeable difference seen, unless you compare it with previous years. While India celebrated the strawberry moon along with Jyestha Purnima.
Although the best time to watch the moon was on the late evening of 10 June 2025, the phenomenon continued until the early morning of 11 June 2025 till 5:30 a.m. IST.
What is a major lunar standstill?
A lunar standstill, also referred to as lunistice, is when the moon reaches its northernmost or southernmost point during the course of a month. The declination at lunar standstill varies in a cycle of 18.6 years. This year’s strawberry moon was special because it was a major lunar standstill, which won’t occur until 2043.
Jyeshtha Purnima and Strawberry Moon
This year, the celestial event of the Strawberry Moon coincided with Jyeshtha Purnima, an auspicious Hindu full moon observed during the Jyeshtha month. Devotees across India marked the day with ritual baths in holy rivers, fasting, and prayers for family well-being.
The rare overlap of the culturally significant Purnima and an astronomically rare lunar standstill made the occasion spiritually powerful and visually mesmerizing, blending science and tradition under the glow of the full moon.
The Strawberry Full Moon beautifully united science, tradition, and awe across the skies.