STARGAZERS were dazzled by a Strawberry Moon as stunning pictures from around the world show the heavenly body lighting up the night sky.
The full moon in June provided a stunning backdrop to St Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard in central .
A near full Strawberry moon rises over St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard in central London Credit: � PETER MACDIARMID 2026
The ancient Temple of Poseidon is lit up by the Strawberry Moon in Greece Credit: Getty
The June full moon rises behind the Jan Zizka statue at the National Monument at Vitkov in Prague, Czech Republic Credit: EPA
The Strawberry Moon had an eerie effect rising above a Reformed Church in Abaujvar, Hungary Credit: Getty
The could also be seen around the world with it being shown off to stunning effect in Frankfurt, as well as .
Meanwhile in Prague, the moon provided a perfect backdrop to the Jan Zizka statue at the National Monument.
It also lit up the ancient Temple of Poseidon in the Sounio area near Athens, .
Its arrival marks the seventh full moon of the year, after a rare Blue Moon appeared last month.
A helicopter flies in front of the full moon in Frankfurt am Main, Germany Credit: Alamy
The Strawberry Moon appears over Queenborough, Kent Credit: Alamy
The high-rise buildings in Ankara, Turkey, are lit up in the evening sky Credit: Getty
The full moon also showed off the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, Iraq Credit: Getty
While its nickname may conjure up the image of a glowing red orb, the “Strawberry Moon” is actually to do with the season it arrives, rather than any distinct colour.
Each full moon has a different nickname relating to what is happening during that month of the year, for example May’s Flower Moon or September’s Harvest Moon.
Originating from Native American tribes, particularly the Algonquin tribe, the June full moon is named for the as it marks the start of wild strawberry season in northeastern parts of .
This full moon differs from the others in the calendar because it is in the lowest-hanging position, which creates the illusion of the moon being larger at this time of year.
It won’t technically be pink or red but, according to , its low position can sometimes give the full Moon a reddish or rose colour.
Another name given to the phenomenon is Mead Moon or the Honey Moon – a time when honey is ripe and ready to be harvested, potentially to be turned into mead.
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A Blue Moon refers to the occasion when a full Moon appears for the second time in the same month, this is very rare.
The Harvest Moon appears around the time of the autumnal equinox when farmers tend to do their main crop harvesting.
A Supermoon appears when it is at its closest point to Earth and therefore at its brightest.
A Blood Moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse.
Each month of the year actually has its own special full moon phenomenon, they are as follows:
- January: Wolf Moon
- February: Snow Moon
- March: Worm Moon
- April: Pink Moon
- May: Flower Moon
- June: Strawberry Moon
- July: Buck Moon
- August: Sturgeon Moon
- September: Full Corn Moon
- October: Hunter’s Moon
- November: Beaver Moon
- December: Cold Moon
The moon will reach its peak in the early hours of Tuesday, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Anyone wanting to catch a glimpse is advised to head for high ground for the best views.
forecasters say the best chance for clear skies will be across the Midlands and southern England.
The next full moon will be the Buck Moon, which was named after the time male deer sprout new antlers, which will appear on July 29.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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