Full Strawberry Moon rises tonight, skywatchers share photos and ceremonies

The full June Strawberry Moon peaked Monday evening, reaching peak illumination at 7:56 PM ET, and rose over parts of Europe and North America. Astronomers and a headline explainer emphasized that despite the name and some reports of a pink tint, the moon is not actually strawberry-colored; atmospheric conditions and clouds produced occasional pink or orange looks for some viewers. Photographers captured the rise behind landmarks including Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire and the Empire State Building in Manhattan, while sightings were also posted from Queens, Chicago, Cleveland and Palm Springs. Community gatherings and small ceremonies accompanied rooftop and backyard viewings, with several observers saying cloud breaks and low-hanging early-moon geometry produced surprising, brief reveals. Skywatching guides noted the moon is a traditional June full moon with centuries-old naming origins, and urged people with clear skies to look up tonight as well.