June 29 marks the first full 'Strawberry' moon of summer
The Strawberry Moon will reach full illumination at 7:57 p.m. ET on June 29, appearing low in the northern sky and high in the southern sky, with experts noting it will be a micromoon and only slightly smaller than average.
The first full moon of the summer, known as the Strawberry Moon, will be visible on Monday, June 29, reaching peak illumination at 7:57 p.m. Eastern Time, according to Earthsky. In the Northern Hemisphere the moon will follow its lowest trajectory of the year, while in the Southern Hemisphere it will trace its highest arc.
The event occurs a day after the moon’s apogee, making it a micromoon—the second smallest full moon of 2026. Dr. Pamela Gay, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, said the size difference will be barely perceptible to the naked eye.
For optimal viewing, Noah Petro, chief of NASA’s Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Lab, advised observers to find a dark location free of tall buildings or trees. The name “Strawberry Moon” comes from Algonquin tribes, who associated the full moon with the berry-harvesting season; other Native names include the hoer moon and the blooming moon.
Gay explained that the moon’s apparent color is determined by its mineral composition and the way sunlight reflects off its surface, but atmospheric conditions can alter the hue seen from the ground, especially in areas with significant air pollution.
The appearance of the Strawberry Moon follows the recent Artemis II mission, which sent astronauts around the far side of the Moon. Petro noted that upcoming Artemis missions aim to return humans to the lunar surface, and encouraged the public to observe the sky as a way to strengthen interest in lunar exploration.
Six more full moons are scheduled for 2026, including supermoons in November and December, when the Moon will be closest to Earth and appear larger.