June's full moon, known as the strawberry moon, will illuminate the night sky on Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be at its brightest at 3:44 a.m. ET on Wednesday but will still be visible in the east after sunset on Tuesday and in the west before sunrise on Wednesday. This month's summer solstice on June 20 will make the sun appear higher in the sky and the moon closer to the horizon due to their positions on opposite sides of Earth.

However, this strawberry moon will be the lowest full moon seen from the Northern Hemisphere in decades. This is due to a phenomenon called a major lunar standstill, where the moon reaches its northernmost or southernmost point in an 18.6-year cycle influenced by the sun's gravitational pull. The moon seems to pause in its movement during this standstill, affecting our view of the full moon. The last major lunar standstill occurred in 2006.

Indigenous tribes named this full moon after the sweet berries that ripen during this time of year. The Anishinaabe and Sioux tribes call it the strawberry moon, the Creeks refer to it as the blackberry moon, and the Shawnee tribe knows it as the raspberry moon.

Spot the Milky Way

In addition to the strawberry moon, stargazers can also catch a glimpse of the Milky Way in June's night sky. The galaxy's bright center will be visible from June to August, known as 'Core Season.' Look for a faint, hazy band resembling a cloud that arcs toward the south, best seen away from city lights. Multiple planets like Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus will also be visible this month.

Upcoming Full Moons

There are six more full moons to anticipate in 2025, with supermoons in October, November, and December. The list of full moons remaining this year includes the Buck moon in July, Sturgeon moon in August, Corn moon in September, Harvest moon in October, Beaver moon in November, and Cold moon in December.

Lunar and Solar Eclipses in 2025

As we approach fall, two eclipse events are set to grace the sky. A total lunar eclipse will be visible from various parts of the world on September 7 and 8, while a partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21, visible in remote areas of Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific Ocean.