The Strawberry Moon: Your Simple Guide to This Week’s Beautiful Full Moon

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and noticed the moon glowing with a warm, golden-amber color? That might just be the Strawberry Moon — and it’s happening this week!

Let’s break down everything you need to know about this stunning celestial event in the simplest way possible.

What Is the Strawberry Moon?

The Strawberry Moon is the first full moon of summer. It will light up the sky this week, just a few days after the summer solstice on June 21 — which is the longest day of the year.

When you look up on Monday evening, you’ll see the moon shining with a beautiful amber glow that makes it look almost like a giant golden lantern hanging in the sky.

Fun Fact: The moon doesn’t actually turn strawberry-colored! Its name has nothing to do with its color. We’ll explain why below.

Why Is It Called the "Strawberry Moon"?

The name comes from Native American Algonquin tribes. They gave this full moon its name because it appears during berry harvesting season — the time of year when wild strawberries are ready to be picked.

Different Native American groups had their own names for this moon too:

• The Western Abenaki called it the Hoer Moon
• The Anishinaabe called it the Blooming Moon

These names all celebrate the fact that June is a time of growth and harvesting in nature.

When and Where to See It

Here’s what you need to know to catch the best view:

• Peak illumination: The moon will be at its brightest at 7:57 p.m. ET on Monday, right after it rises above the eastern horizon.
• Best viewing tip: Head outside and find a dark spot free of obstructions — that means away from tall buildings, trees, and city lights. The darker your surroundings, the more stunning the moon will appear.

A Low-Flying Moon

Here’s something really interesting about this year’s Strawberry Moon:

• If you live in the Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia, etc.), the moon will travel the lowest path across the sky of any full moon this year.
• If you live in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, South America, southern Africa, etc.), it will trace the highest arc across the sky.

Because it sits so low, it will appear larger and more colorful near the horizon — making it a perfect photo opportunity!

It’s Also a "Micromoon"!

This year, the Strawberry Moon comes with a special bonus label: it’s a micromoon.

Here’s what that means in simple terms:

1. The moon orbits Earth in a slightly oval (elliptical) shape — not a perfect circle.
2. Apogee is the point when the moon is farthest from Earth.
3. The Straw Moon appears just one day after apogee.
4. When a full moon happens near apogee, it’s called a micromoon — the opposite of a supermoon.

This year’s Strawberry Moon will be the second smallest full moon of 2026.

Important Point: Don’t worry — the moon will only look slightly smaller than usual. According to Dr. Pamela Gay, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, the difference is hardly noticeable to the naked eye. So to most people, it will look like a perfectly normal (and beautiful) full moon.

Why Does the Moon Change Color?

You might notice the Strawberry Moon looking golden, orange, or even reddish at times. But here’s the secret: the moon doesn’t actually change color!

Here’s what’s really going on:

• The moon’s actual color is determined by its mineral makeup and how sunlight reflects off its surface.
• But the light bouncing off the moon has to pass through Earth’s atmosphere before it reaches your eyes.
• Depending on what’s in the atmosphere — like dust, pollution, or smoke — the light can shift to warmer colors.

In areas with significant air pollution, the Straw Moon can appear richer and warmer in color — which is actually one reason it might look especially beautiful and amber-toned this year.

Why This Moon Is Extra Special

This year’s Strawberry Moon comes at an exciting time for moon exploration:

• Just months ago, the Artemis II mission successfully sent four astronauts around the far side of the moon.
• The next Artemis mission could launch as soon as late next year.
• After that, NASA is planning to land astronauts on the moon again.

Noah Petro, chief of NASA’s Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Lab, encourages everyone to go outside and look up:

"We’re about to send humans back to the moon with Artemis. In a couple years, we’ll have astronauts landing on the moon. Now is the time to start building up that relationship with the moon. And the easiest way to do that is just to go out and look up."

What’s Coming Up Next in 2026?

The Strawberry Moon is just the beginning! There are six more full moons to look forward to this year, including supermoons in November and December — when the moon is closest to Earth and appears biggest and brightest.

Here’s the full list of remaining full moons in 2026:

• July 29 — Buck Moon
• August 28 — Sturgeon Moon
• September 26 — Harvest Moon
• October 26 — Hunter’s Moon
• November 24 — Beaver Moon
• December 23 — Cold Moon

Summary

Here’s a quick recap of everything you need to know:

• The Strawberry Moon is the first full moon of summer, named after berry harvesting season by Native American Algonquin tribes.
• It will reach peak brightness at 7:57 p.m. ET on Monday and glow with a warm amber color.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, it will take the lowest path of any full moon this year.
• It’s also a micromoon (appearing slightly smaller because it’s farther from Earth), but the difference is barely noticeable.
• The moon’s color shifts are caused by Earth’s atmosphere, not the moon itself.
• This moon arrives during an exciting new era of lunar exploration with NASA’s Artemis program.
• Six more full moons are coming in 2026, including supermoons in November and December.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Will the Strawberry Moon actually look red or pink?

Nope! Despite its name, the moon won’t turn red or pink. It will likely appear golden, amber, or orange, especially when it’s low on the horizon. The name comes from berry harvesting season, not the moon’s color.

2. Can I see the Strawberry Moon from anywhere in the world?

Yes! The full moon is visible from everywhere on Earth (weather permitting). However, the path it takes across the sky will look different depending on whether you’re in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.

3. Do I need a telescope or binoculars to see it?

Not at all! The Strawberry Moon is completely visible to the naked eye. However, if you do have binoculars or a telescope, you can get an even more detailed view of the moon’s craters and surface features.

4. What’s the difference between a micromoon and a supermoon?

A supermoon happens when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth (called perigee), making it look bigger and brighter. A micromoon is the opposite — it happens when a full moon is at its farthest point from Earth (called apogee), making it look slightly smaller. This Strawberry Moon is a micromoon.

5. Why does the moon look bigger near the horizon?

This is a famous trick of the brain called the "moon illusion." When the moon is close to the horizon, your brain compares it to objects like trees and buildings, making it appear much larger than when it’s high up in the empty sky. The moon doesn’t actually change size — it’s purely an optical illusion!