You’ve probably seen the photos. That massive, glowing amber orb hanging just above the horizon, looking almost close enough to touch. It’s the Strawberry Moon. Honestly, most people think it gets the name because it turns a bright red or pink color. It doesn’t. Well, rarely. The name actually comes from the Algonquin tribes of North America. To them, this full moon signaled that it was finally time to gather ripening wild strawberries. It’s about the season, not the shade. Tonight is the night it reaches peak illumination, and if you're wondering where to see the strawberry moon tonight, you've gotta get the timing right or you'll just be looking at a regular white dot in the sky.
The moon is huge tonight.
But here is the thing: the "Moon Illusion" is your best friend. This is a psychological trick your brain plays on you. When the moon is near the horizon, your brain compares it to trees, buildings, or mountains, making it look absolutely gargantuan. Once it gets high in the sky? It looks small again. If you want that "wow" factor, you need to be outside exactly when it peeks over the horizon.
Finding the perfect spot for your moon viewing
You don’t need a telescope. Seriously, put the gear away unless you're a hardcore astrophotographer. The best way to experience this is with your own eyes and a clear view of the ESE (East-South-East) horizon.
If you are stuck in a city like New York or Chicago, get to a rooftop. Tall buildings are your enemy here. They’ll block the moonrise, and by the time the moon clears the skyscrapers, that beautiful golden-orange hue will have faded into a bright, sterile white. Go to a park with a wide-open field. Or, better yet, head to a waterfront. Seeing the moonlight ripple across a lake or the ocean is basically unbeatable. If you’re on the West Coast, places like Griffith Observatory in LA are iconic, but honestly, any dark beach in Malibu or a high point in the Santa Monica mountains will do the trick without the crowds.
🔗 Read more: Blue Tabby Maine Coon: What Most People Get Wrong About This Striking Coat
For the folks in rural areas, you've got it easy. Just find a spot away from the local gas station lights. Light pollution doesn't "hide" the moon like it hides stars, but it definitely ruins the vibe and makes it harder for your eyes to adjust to the subtle shadows on the lunar surface.
Why timing is actually everything
The moon officially reaches its full phase at a specific moment in time—technically 9:08 PM ET tonight—but it looks full to the casual observer for about a day before and after.
Check your local moonrise time. This is the golden rule. If moonrise is at 8:45 PM, you should be in your spot by 8:30 PM. Why? Because the atmosphere is thickest near the horizon. This thickness scatters the blue light and lets the red and orange wavelengths through. That’s why it looks like a giant peach when it first appears. If you show up an hour late, you missed the "strawberry" part of the show. It’s just physics, really.
The science of the "low" moon
This year's Strawberry Moon is a bit of an oddball. It’s happening very close to the summer solstice. Because the sun is at its highest point in the sky during the day, the full moon (which is always opposite the sun) stays incredibly low in the sky all night.
💡 You might also like: Blue Bathroom Wall Tiles: What Most People Get Wrong About Color and Mood
According to Dr. Noah Petro, a lead scientist at NASA, this "low" path means the moon is passing through more of the Earth's atmosphere for a longer duration. It’s going to stay that warm, amber color for much longer than a typical full moon in the dead of winter. It’s a literal atmospheric filter.
Think about it this way.
The air around us is filled with dust, smoke, and moisture. When the moon is low, the light has to travel through thousands of miles of this "junk" before it hits your retina. The junk blocks the short-wave blue light. Only the long-wave reds survive the trip. So, if there’s been a bit of haze or even distant wildfire smoke in your area, the moon might actually look more "strawberry" than usual tonight.
Is it a Supermoon?
People throw that word around a lot lately. Technically, tonight isn't a "Supermoon" by the strictest astronomical definitions, which require the moon to be at its absolute perigee (closest point to Earth). However, it’s close enough that you probably won't tell the difference. It’s big. It’s bright. It’s worth the mosquitoes.
📖 Related: BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse Superstition Springs Menu: What to Order Right Now
Avoid these common mistakes
Most people just walk out their front door, look up at 11:00 PM, and feel disappointed. "It just looks like a moon," they say. Well, yeah. You missed the transition.
- Don't use your phone's flash. I see this every time. People try to take a selfie with the moon and the flash goes off. Now your pupils have shrunk, you've blinded yourself, and the moon in the background looks like a tiny white speck. Turn the flash off. Use a tripod if you have one.
- Stop looking at your screen. It takes about 20 minutes for your "night vision" to fully kick in. If you're scrolling TikTok while waiting for the moonrise, you aren't going to see the subtle details of the lunar maria (those dark basaltic plains) as clearly.
- Don't forget the mosquitoes. Seriously. The best places to see the moon—lakes, fields, woods—are also the best places to get eaten alive in June. Wear long sleeves.
Where to see the strawberry moon tonight: Specific Regional Tips
If you’re in the mountains, remember that your "horizon" is higher than the actual horizon. The moon will "rise" later for you than the calendar says because it has to clear the peaks. If you're in the desert, you're in luck. The dry air means less scattering, which actually makes the moon look incredibly sharp and crisp, though maybe a little less "bloody" than it would in a humid coastal city.
In the Southern Hemisphere? The names are different, obviously, because it’s winter there. But the moon is the same. It’ll just be much higher in the sky for you, which means it’ll turn white much faster.
What to look for on the surface
If you happen to have a pair of binoculars—even cheap ones—grab them. Look for the Tycho crater near the bottom. It has these long "rays" shooting out from it like a starburst. These are actually trails of debris from a massive impact millions of years ago. On a night like tonight, when the moon is this bright, the contrast can be a bit overwhelming, so some people find it easier to look through a light pair of sunglasses if they're using a telescope. Sounds crazy, but it works.
Making the most of the event
There is something deeply human about stopping to look at the sky. We spend so much time looking at 6-inch screens that we forget there’s a massive celestial dance happening above our heads 24/7. Tonight isn't just about a "cool photo" for the 'gram. It’s a marker of time. It’s the transition into the heat of summer. It’s the same moon that people were using to track their harvests five hundred years ago.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Exact Time: Use a site like TimeandDate.com to find the exact moonrise for your specific zip code.
- Pick Your Spot Now: Don't wait until 9:00 PM to decide where to go. Find an east-facing view with minimal obstructions before the sun goes down.
- Pack a Blanket: Since the moon will stay lower in the sky tonight due to the solstice timing, plan to stay for at least an hour to watch it transition from deep orange to pale yellow.
- Check the Weather: If it’s 100% cloud cover, don't stress. The moon will still look nearly full tomorrow night, providing a second chance if the weather clears up.
- Download a Star Map: Apps like SkyGuide or Stellarium can show you exactly where the moon will pop up on the horizon using augmented reality, so you aren't staring at the wrong patch of sky.