The Strawberry Moon Lit Up Skies Across the World This Past Weekend
![The Strawberry Moon Lit Up Skies Across the World This Past Weekend The Strawberry Moon Lit Up Skies Across the World This Past Weekend](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/Strawberry-Moon.jpg)
This past weekend, sky watchers and astrophotography enthusiasts were treated to the mesmerizing sight of the “Strawberry Moon,” the full Moon for the month of June. The celestial event, which peaked on Saturday night, provided a stunning display as it cast a warm, golden hue across the night sky.
The term “Strawberry Moon” originates from Native American tribes, who named it to mark the ripening of strawberries, which typically occurs around this time of year. Contrary to what the name might suggest, the moon doesn’t appear pink or red like a strawberry. Instead, it often takes on a slightly rosy or amber color due to its low position in the sky during this time of year.
The Strawberry Moon arrived just one day after the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere which led to some calling it the Strawberry Solstice Moon.
New York City-based photographers Dan Martland and Gary Hershorn were out capturing the Moon set next to the Big Apple’s iconic landmarks. Martland put a very long lens to use to make the Strawberry Moon look extra large behind Manhattan’s skyline.
![The Empire State Building illuminated at night with a large red full moon glowing behind it in a dim, hazy sky. Surrounding skyscrapers are also visible, and dark tree silhouettes are in the foreground.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQpX5l_XcAA5Twb-640x800.jpeg)
![A bright orange harvest moon rises over a city skyline at dusk. The cityscape includes various illuminated skyscrapers, with trees in the foreground adding a touch of nature to the urban scene. The sky has a deep, dusky blue tone.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQpX5l-XgAACdi0-800x800.jpeg)
![A large, full moon with a reddish hue rises over the New York City skyline at dusk. Prominent skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building and other illuminated high-rises, stand out against the darkening sky. Trees are visible at the bottom of the image.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQpX5l9XIAA9fJH-800x800.jpeg)
A day earlier, Martland had captured an almost full strawberry Moon behind the Chrysler Building and One Vanderbilt.
![The image features the iconic Chrysler Building in New York City, with the full moon aligned perfectly behind its spire. The surrounding skyscrapers and construction cranes are illuminated by the evening light, creating a captivating cityscape.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQkmeSuWQAAHwQc-640x800.jpeg)
![A large, glowing full moon is seen resting atop the spire of a modern glass skyscraper during dusk, creating an optical illusion. The building reflects the soft twilight, while the moon's luminous surface stands out against the dusky sky.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQkmeS-W8AA7l-4-534x800.jpeg)
![A full moon rises over a cityscape featuring the iconic art deco Chrysler Building and a high-rise with a large purple "W Hotels" sign. The moon appears large in the twilight sky, creating a striking backdrop to the buildings.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQkmeSvXsAASeRc-640x800.jpeg)
![The image shows the full moon rising behind the spire of a modern glass skyscraper, creating an optical illusion where the spire appears to be puncturing the moon. The sky is a dusky twilight shade, giving the scene a serene, ethereal quality.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQkmeSwWoAAkqu_-640x800.jpeg)
Meanwhile, Hershorn captured the Strawberry Moon rising behind the Statue of Liberty as well as a wider shot of people enjoying the celestial show in New Jersey.
![A full moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty, casting a dramatic glow around the monument's torch. The night sky is clear, allowing the golden moon to stand out prominently against the silhouette of the statue.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQjv1BOW8AAlNUq-600x800.jpeg)
![The Statue of Liberty is seen from behind with an illuminated full moon perfectly aligned with the torch she holds high in the sky. The scene is set against a dusk sky, creating a dramatic and captivating view.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQkV0XsX0AAVFwY-800x495.jpeg)
![A large, bright, full moon sets behind the torch of the Statue of Liberty in this dramatic silhouette. The torch appears in the foreground with the intricate details visible, creating a striking contrast against the glowing backdrop of the moon.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQkV0YDWUAAI5_Y-575x800.jpeg)
![The Statue of Liberty is seen from behind, holding its torch aloft with a full moon perfectly positioned above it, creating the illusion that the moon is being held by the statue. The sky is dusky, adding a dramatic and serene atmosphere to the scene.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQkV0YWXIAAhVx5-800x526.jpeg)
![A group of people sit and look across the Hudson River at the illuminated New York City skyline at night. The Empire State Building, along with other skyscrapers, stands tall, while a full moon rises in the background, creating a picturesque and vibrant cityscape.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQpF4l6WUAAUxSA-800x522.jpeg)
![A nighttime cityscape of New York City, featuring a prominent skyline with the Empire State Building at the center. A large, bright moon appears to be perched atop the building's spire, illuminating the surrounding skyscrapers and reflecting over the water below.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQruQk7WgAEgfad-800x551.jpeg)
Well-known astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy put together an HDR composite photo of the Strawberry Moon using a 1000mm telephoto lens attached to a DSLR.
![A full moon illuminates the night sky, surrounded by twinkling stars. Wispy clouds partially obscure the moon's lower section, adding a touch of mystique to the celestial scene.](http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/06/GQvPgy_agAAmJnH-800x534.jpg)
The Strawberry Moon is not just a visual treat but also holds astronomical significance: It is the last full Moon of the spring season or the first of summer, depending on the timing of the solstice. This year, it marked the first full Moon of summer, which officially began on June 21.
Here are a few fantastic shots PetaPixel spotted on social media.
This is an 8-photograph composite of the Strawberry Moon rising above the Fort Worth skyline yesterday evening. #FortWorth #Texas #moon #fullmoon #strawberrymoon #dfwwx #txwx pic.twitter.com/CKqNeK0TQv
— Matt Lantz (@mattlantz) June 23, 2024
🌕 July’s #supermoon lit up the sky around the globe.
This full moon orbits closer to the #Earth than many other full moons this year.
July’s full “#BuckMoon” happens when the #Moon is within 10% of its closest point to Earth in its orbit and also in its full Moon phase 👇 pic.twitter.com/7VT7BFxrT2
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 4, 2023
Cape Spear Newfoundland, Strawberry Moon last night!#Newfoundland #canada pic.twitter.com/NfAHL7PB7T
— Ray Mackey Photo (@RayMackeyNL) June 21, 2024
For those who missed the Strawberry Moon, there is no need for disappointment. The next full Moon, known as the “Buck Moon,” will rise on July 21. It gets its name from the time of year when new antlers emerge on buck deer. This event promises another opportunity to witness the beauty of Earth’s closest celestial neighbor.